Simple ways to look out for your mates on site
There are so many positives to working in construction. There’s the chance to work on a variety of projects, the opportunity to build practical skills you can take anywhere in the world, and usually no shortage of good banter on site! Plus, there is a massive sense of pride in looking at a finished build and knowing you helped create it.
But for all the good parts, being a tradie can be a tough gig, with its early starts, long days and tight deadlines. Not to mention work that’s hard on the body. Add in the transient nature of the job — always moving between sites and working with different crews — and it can be a lot.
Unfortunately, the stats show just how much of a toll those pressures can take. Male construction workers face nearly twice the suicide rate of other men in New Zealand (Spark Change, 2025 Construction Industry Well-being Survey). Research into suicide and mental health in the industry has highlighted a complex mix of factors, including high workloads, job insecurity and work-related stress. On top of that, the old-school expectation to just 'tough it out' and keep things to yourself, combined with language or cultural differences on diverse sites, can make it incredibly hard for workers to open up about their stresses with colleagues (Site Safe).
Fortunately, organisations like Mates in Construction recognise the unique challenges of the job and offer support. One thing you can do, if you are feeling a bit burned out or isolated, is to take steps to build strong connections with your colleagues — the people who are right in it with you and just get it.
Mental Health Awareness Week is a good nudge to make an extra effort with your crew. Running from 12-18 October, this year’s theme is Belonging Matters. Here are some ways you can honour this theme on site.
“You good?” can be pretty easy to brush off with a quick “yeah, mate”. If you’re not convinced, ask again in a way that shows you really mean it.
It helps to avoid closed questions that can be shut down with a simple “yeah, nah” or a one-word “good”. Instead, go with something like,
“You sure? You don’t seem quite yourself today” or “Seriously though, how are you going?” to encourage them to open up a little more. If they’re still not keen to chat, leave it there for now, then check in again another time.
Even if they don’t open up, the fact that you genuinely wanted to know how they were doing can help them feel seen. And they might think of you next time they want to talk.
These days, smoko can easily look like a group scrolling session, where everyone is glued to their phones and not really interacting. Try putting your phone away for a few minutes and making some light conversation. Or maybe you could even share a funny reel or meme you’d been laughing at. Connection doesn’t have to be deep to make a difference.
Sharing a little about what’s going on for you can actually make it easier for others to open up. It’s generous to let people in. Mention something that’s been on your mind, admit you’ve had a rough week or share what’s going on outside of work. You don’t have to spill your guts or share anything you’re not comfortable with. Just give people a little something to connect with, and see if it makes a difference.
When people open up around you, remember your role is just to listen — you don’t need to solve anything. Give them space to talk, ask questions if it feels right and try not to jump in with advice. You don’t have to have the right words or know what to do next. A “Jeez mate, that sounds rough” can be validating for someone to hear
That said, if someone seems really distressed, talks about hurting themselves or you’re worried about their safety, it’s time to bring in some extra support. Talk to someone trusted on site or, if your site has MATES training, find a MATES Connector or ASIST worker. You can also call the MATES in Construction helpline on 0800 111 315. If someone is in immediate danger, call 111.
This Mental Health Awareness, pick one small way to reach out. Ask twice. Have a decent chat at smoko. Share a little more than you usually would. If you need a little motivation, just think about how it feels when someone makes that effort with you.
For more ideas and resources, head to the Mental Health Awareness Week website.