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Understanding the Barriers and Pathways to Male Help-Seeking and Help-Offering: A Mixed Methods Study of the Impact of the Mates in Construction Program

Author

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  • Victoria Ross

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt 4122, Australia)

  • Neil Caton

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt 4122, Australia)

  • Jorgen Gullestrup

    (MATES in Construction, Spring Hill 4000, Australia)

  • Kairi Kõlves

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt 4122, Australia)

Abstract

The Mates in Construction (MATES) program was developed to address the issue of high suicide rates among males in the Australian construction industry. The program delivers early intervention training and support to construction workers. This mixed-methods study aimed to (1) examine the effectiveness of training for MATES connectors and (2) examine the barriers, motivations and pathways to help-seeking and help-offering for both MATES connectors and clients. A total of 104 volunteers completed a short survey before and after connector training sessions. Quantitative data analysis showed significant increases in connectors’ self-reported suicide awareness, and willingness to offer help to workmates and seek help themselves. For the qualitative component, 27 connectors and clients participated in focus groups and individual interviews. Thematic analysis identified six themes from the connectors’ data: awareness, skills and confidence; removing stigma; making a difference; simplicity of the model; understanding the industry; and visibility, camaraderie and passion. For clients, three key themes emerged: barriers and pathways to help-seeking; speaking the same language; and flow-on effects. The results provide evidence for the effectiveness of connector training and indicate that MATES’s peer support model is enabling workers to overcome traditional barriers and attitudes to seeking and offering help.

Suggested Citation

  • Victoria Ross & Neil Caton & Jorgen Gullestrup & Kairi Kõlves, 2019. "Understanding the Barriers and Pathways to Male Help-Seeking and Help-Offering: A Mixed Methods Study of the Impact of the Mates in Construction Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:16:p:2979-:d:258932
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. O'Brien, Rosaleen & Hunt, Kate & Hart, Graham, 2005. "'It's caveman stuff, but that is to a certain extent how guys still operate': men's accounts of masculinity and help seeking," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(3), pages 503-516, August.
    2. Carolyn Schwartz & Penelope Keyl & John Marcum & Rita Bode, 2009. "Helping Others Shows Differential Benefits on Health and Well-being for Male and Female Teens," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(4), pages 431-448, August.
    3. Tania L. King & Jorgen Gullestrup & Philip J. Batterham & Brian Kelly & Chris Lockwood & Helen Lingard & Samuel B. Harvey & Anthony D. LaMontagne & Allison Milner, 2018. "Shifting Beliefs about Suicide: Pre-Post Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Program for Workers in the Construction Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-13, September.
    4. Jorgen Gullestrup & Belinda Lequertier & Graham Martin, 2011. "MATES in Construction: Impact of a Multimodal, Community-Based Program for Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-17, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher M. Doran & Lisa Wittenhagen & Edward Heffernan & Carla Meurk, 2021. "The MATES Case Management Model: Presenting Problems and Referral Pathways for a Novel Peer-Led Approach to Addressing Suicide in the Construction Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-11, June.
    2. Aaron S. Howe & Joyce Lo & Sharan Jaswal & Ali Bani-Fatemi & Vijay Kumar Chattu & Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, 2023. "Engaging Employers in Apprentice Training: Focus Group Insights from Small-to-Medium-Sized Employers in Ontario, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-17, January.

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