Australia’s construction industry is confronting a profound mental health crisis, with suicide now the leading cause of death among workers, exceeding fatalities from on site accidents. The problem stems not only from the inherent dangers of the work but also from sustained pressures and entrenched cultural norms within the sector. Many workers experience long hours, unstable employment, bullying, and limited autonomy, conditions that intensify stress and heighten vulnerability. Those in lower skilled roles and apprentices are particularly exposed, facing greater job insecurity and a higher likelihood of hostile workplace behaviors.

The culture in construction often encourages people to stay quiet about their struggles, making it harder for workers to seek support early. All of these factors combine to make thoughts of suicide more risky in this field compared with others, contributing to the higher suicide rates seen both in Australia and in other countries with similar construction industries.

Key Points

1. Suicide is the leading cause of death in construction

• Construction workers are 5–6 times more likely to die by suicide than from workplace accidents.
• About 190 suicides per year occur in the sector. 

• Male construction workers: 26.6 deaths per 100,000.
• Other employed men: 13.2 per 100,000.

• Long hours, insecure jobs, bullying, and limited job control.
• Transient work leads to time away from family and support networks.

• “Harden up” mentality discourages men from seeking help.

• Labourers and apprentices face higher exposure to bullying and poor mental health.

• Similar elevated suicide rates found in the US, UK, and New Zealand construction sectors

Efforts to reduce suicide in Australia’s construction industry have shown clear progress. Since the early 2000s, national mental health strategies, male focused programs, and construction specific initiatives have helped drive suicide rates down. The most influential has been MATES in Construction, launched in 2008, which uses peer support and on site training to reduce stigma and encourage workers to seek help. Evaluations show it improves mental health awareness and increases help seeking, and together with programs like Incolink’s Bluehats, it has contributed to an average three percent yearly decline in suicide rates between 2001 and 2019—double the rate of improvement seen in other male workers.

Read the full article here: What’s behind the high rate of suicide in Australia’s construction industry?