With special guest:
- Carolyn Kelso
The construction industry has nearly one million workers in Australia and 98% of these workers are male. But interestingly our guest today to talk about that industry is female. Carolyn Kelso has the dual role of Case Manager and Field Officer for MATES in Construction (MIC) and she has had an interest in suicide prevention since her first introduction to construction through family and friends.
In an industry where the work is dangerous enough Carolyn found that the figures for suicide were truly alarming. Construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work. This figure is if anything conservative because in many cases the Coroners are reluctant to make a finding of suicide for reasons of stigma and in some situations the financial discrimination that can result for family survivors.
Another area for concern is the non-fatal suicidal behaviour which can leave the survivor dependent on full-time support at an enormous cost to the family and the community. These costs were recently set out in a report conducted for MATES in Construction by authors Christopher Doran and Rod Ling from the Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle and Alison Milner from Deakin University. The report found that in Australia suicide is the leading cause of death for males aged 25-44 years. The total cost of suicide and non-fatal suicide behaviour in the construction industry alone is estimated at $1.57bn per annum. Yet this figure does not take into account the wider implications to the industry in terms of damage to property, loss of company image or the considerable investment the industry makes complying with health and safety regulations.
The Doran Report concludes that given the significant cost of this largely preventable problem more effort needs to be devoted to addressing mental health in the construction industry. Carolyn Kelso would support the brief to safety inspectors being widened from just physical factors to include a mental health check along the lines of RUOK Day.
So in answer to the question “Is there a problem?” there is a resounding answer YES. MIC through Carolyn Kelso is at the front line and we hear from her directly today what is being done with Government support. That support is needed and also has to be confirmed as an ongoing commitment in view of the financial cost in addition to the human suffering.
In listening to Carolyn it is easy to see why she is welcomed onto the industrial sites by employers and employees and it is wonderful that we have people in our community getting out there to do something about this carnage among our men in their prime. This is an important issue and you should not miss this interview.
Carolyn Kelso
Carolyn Kelso is Case Manager and Field Officer for MATES in Construction (MIC). She has completed a Diploma in Community Services and a Bachelor of Social Sciences. Carolyn has worked in the welfare industry for many years in both a professional and voluntary capacity. Carolyn is passionate about making a difference in the industry for all the individuals affected.
Song selection by our guest: Win by Brian McKnight