Posted by: Danielle Moore at April 07, 2022
Although it’s great news that we’re in the middle of a building and infrastructure boom, pressures on the Australian construction industry are starting to mount. After successfully navigating its way through the stop-start Covid lockdowns, the industry is now facing extremely challenging global supply chain issues.
Material and labour costs are going through the roof and many businesses are having to have difficult conversations with their clients and the banks as they try and manage a very tricky balancing act.
Sadly, the compound effect of all this stress and pressure is having an added impact on the mental health of those working in the construction industry.
A construction worker is lost to suicide every second day
According to CHESS Connect – a not-for-profit workplace wellbeing organisation – construction workers are more than twice as likely to commit suicide as others in Australia. Apprentices in construction are 2½ times more likely to take their own lives than other young men their age and 21% of workers in the construction industry were shown to have had a mental health condition.
While this isn’t new news, it is confronting to be reminded of what’s happening in the industry. It also confirms what we’re hearing from our clients that operate in construction. However, suicide can be prevented and there is help for those suffering with mental health challenges.
Getting behind the Dig Deep Event
Here at Rebus, we’re absolutely committed to building meaningful, long-term relationships with our clients. We believe it’s important to support those who support us and because we’re passionate about mental health, we’re getting behind the Dig Deep Event as a sponsor.
This amazing initiative was started by a group of passionate people working within the civil construction industry, who decided to set their sights on raising $1 million for Beyond Blue – an organisation that provides free support for those suffering from mental health challenges.
The money raised will go towards financing their ongoing provision of much-needed support services, programmes, research, advocacy, and communication activities. We think Beyond Blue do great work in the mental health area, which is why we have supported them previously through our 60km walk in Coastrek 2021.
Tom Chirnside says: “We want more people to feel okay about seeking help and become aware of the many incredible services available in our community, like Beyond Blue. We care about the people in the construction industry and are thrilled to be a part of the Dig Deep Event.”
Krissy Huxley adds: “We support the capital needs and growth ambitions of construction businesses across corporate and specialised markets. This sponsorship is our way of giving back to those who we work closely with.”
CRE Group Director, Patrick Doheny, who’s also part of the Dig Deep Event working committee, says: “We are looking forward to inviting thousands of people to our inaugural event. It will be a great family day that will raise valuable funds to support Beyond Blue. We are grateful for the generous support of sponsors like Rebus.”
The Dig Deep Event will be held on 29 May in Keysborough. You can find out more on their website and more information on Beyond Blue here.
The Trustee for the Rebus Capital Partners Unit Trust ABN 88 452 904 420. Authorised Credit Representative 523233 under Australian Credit Licence 536100.