MATES in Construction and Bunnings Trade Australia have partnered to help raise awareness around better mental health and work towards suicide prevention in the construction industry.

Workers in the construction industry are six times more likely to die by suicide than in a workplace accident, representing around 200 workers who lose their lives to suicide every year (that’s one worker every second day). Bunnings Trade Australia and MATES are committed to improving mental health support for construction workers, based on the simple idea that ‘suicide is everyone’s business’.

To mark the partnership, Bunnings Trade Australia will be releasing a limited edition black co-branded hoodie to help raise funds, with all profits from the sales going directly to MATES to continue their vital work. The Bunnings Trade hoodie has become a widely sought-after wardrobe staple and the hope is that the co-branded black hoodie will not only help raise funds, but more importantly, awareness, around suicide prevention in the construction industry.

MATES National chief executive Chris Lockwood says the MATES team is thrilled to partner with Bunnings Trade Australia and believes together, they’ll be able to make a genuine difference by encouraging tradies to check-in on their mates: “This partnership is a game changer for MATES. Our team has helped trained almost 260,000 workers in General Awareness Training (GAT) and case managed more than 12,000 people and now with Bunnings Trade support we can reach even more workers who might be struggling with life.

“The MATES program is based on the simple idea that suicide is everyone’s business. If the building and construction industry in Australia is to improve the mental health and well-being of workers and reduce suicide, it can’t be left solely to mental health professionals; everyone in the industry must play their part.

“Having one of Australia’s biggest trade suppliers, Bunnings Trade on board to help spread the word and normalise help-offering, will expand our reach and help us save more lives.”

In addition to the hoodies, over 300 Bunnings Trade desks (in stores and Trade Centres) will display posters to showcase MATES five ways to start a conversation, as well as MATES presence on the Bunnings website and in customer communications.