2 weeks Ago By Mangawhai Focus
A national organisation that helps safeguard the mental health of tradies in the construction industry is launching a month-long fundraiser, which encourages mates to support mates.MATES in Construction is holding the MATES Long Lap virtual event next month to raise awareness about mental health and suicide in the industry. It will also be fundraising to enable the organisation to provide support for vulnerable people in the sector.
The construction industry has some of the highest male suicide rates of any occupational group, with a 2019 study showing that on average, one worker a week takes their own life.Established due to the shocking statistics, MATES aims to reduce suicide numbers through specifically designed awareness and prevention programmes.The aim is also to shift the industry’s culture by promoting how to offer and accept help, and to encourage workplace social connection.
Mangawhai Shed hosted a MATES seminar last July to help local workers identify potential declining mental health and possible suicidal tendencies in their teammates.The Long Lap involves people walking, running, riding, swimming or wheeling, setting an achievable kilometre target and then tracking the distance, either by Fitbit or Strava or manually via the tracker app.Funds are raised by the $40 registration fee, which includes MATES merchandise and a poster pack to communicate the event, as well as sponsorship.
MATES field officer Jared Lanigan says the team has an ambitious goal – to cover the length of New Zealand’s 3000-kilometre Te Araroa Trail five times to acknowledge the number of people in construction who are lost to suicide every five days.“This goal is more than a number,” he says.“It’s a powerful reminder of why we move – to save lives and ignite hope.
If we can get 500 people walking, cycling or running one kilometre every day through April then we should reach this target.“All proceeds go to MATES to help our mission to keep delivering suicide prevention and coping skills workshops. The funds also help our case managers to connect workers and their whānau to one-on-one support and services when they are going through tough times.
”As MATES receives no government funding, Lanigan says they rely on fundraising and donations to get their vital work and messages out into the industry through seminars and workshops“So, grab your mates, pledge a distance and put your sneakers where your mouth is!”For more information, visit www.mates.net.
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