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MATES in Construction: Impact of a Multimodal, Community-Based Program for Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Jorgen Gullestrup

    (MATES in Construction, Level 1, 35 Astor Terrace, Spring Hill, Queensland 4004, Australia)

  • Belinda Lequertier

    (Centre for Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, The University of Queensland, K Floor, Mental Health Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia)

  • Graham Martin

    (Centre for Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, The University of Queensland, K Floor, Mental Health Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia)

Abstract

A large-scale workplace-based suicide prevention and early intervention program was delivered to over 9,000 construction workers on building sites across Queensland. Intervention components included universal General Awareness Training (GAT; general mental health with a focus on suicide prevention); gatekeeper training provided to construction worker volunteer ‘Connectors’; Suicide First Aid (ASIST) training offered to key workers; outreach support provided by trained and supervised MIC staff; state-wide suicide prevention hotline; case management service; and postvention support provided in the event of a suicide. Findings from over 7,000 workers (April 2008 to November 2010) are reported, indicating strong construction industry support, with 67% building sites and employers approached agreeing to participate in MIC. GAT participants demonstrated significantly increased suicide prevention awareness compared with a comparison group. Connector training participants rated MIC as helpful and effective, felt prepared to intervene with a suicidal person, and knew where to seek help for a suicidal individual following the training. Workers engaged positively with the after-hours crisis support phone line and case management. MIC provided postvention support to 10 non-MIC sites and sites engaged with MIC, but not yet MIC-compliant. Current findings support the potential effectiveness and social validity of MIC for preventing suicide in construction workers.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:8:y:2011:i:11:p:4180-4196:d:14702
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Victoria Ross & Neil Caton & Sharna Mathieu & Jorgen Gullestrup & Kairi Kõlves, 2020. "Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Program for the Energy Sector," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, September.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Irina Kinchin & Christopher M. Doran, 2017. "The Economic Cost of Suicide and Non-Fatal Suicide Behavior in the Australian Workforce and the Potential Impact of a Workplace Suicide Prevention Strategy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-14, March.
    6. Tania L. King & Philip J. Batterham & Helen Lingard & Jorgen Gullestrup & Chris Lockwood & Samuel B. Harvey & Brian Kelly & Anthony D. LaMontagne & Allison Milner, 2019. "Are Young Men Getting the Message? Age Differences in Suicide Prevention Literacy among Male Construction Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Ella Arensman & Cliodhna O’Connor & Caleb Leduc & Eve Griffin & Grace Cully & Doireann Ní Dhálaigh & Carolyn Holland & Chantal Van Audenhove & Evelien Coppens & Fotini Tsantila & Victoria Ross & Birgi, 2022. "Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings: Protocol for a Pilot Study of the MENTUPP Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-21, January.

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