Breaking the stigma of mental health

Goanna Academy founder Greg Inglis and BESIX Watpac CEO Mark Baker announced a 12-month partnership to help build a brighter future for construction workers, Indigenous people and young men.

“We know that 46% of Australians aged 16-85 have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime but construction workers are more than twice as likely to die from suicide than other people,” Mr Baker said.

Mr Baker said the construction industry had taken great strides in safety to ensure our workers go home physically well, but BESIX Watpac was taking the next step to ensure its workers also went home mentally well.

“Our partnership with The Goanna Academy is important to our organisation. We will not only be giving our workers the resources and channels to speak up, but also a reason to shake the stigma and a role model to show the way.”

National Rugby League legend and Dunghutti man (Kempsey) Greg Inglis established The Goanna Academy in 2020 after experiencing his own battle with mental health.

Greg said for many years the pressure to be “strong” prevented him from seeking the help he needed and felt that men in the construction industry could relate.

“It’s a tough industry they work in. There is a lot of pressure and a stigma to not show any weakness or ask for help, but I think by sharing my story and giving them the tools to speak up, we can save a life.”

Every year 190 construction workers die from suicide. Both Greg and Mark agree, it’s a number that is far too high.

“In my opinion, one person suffering from mental illness is one too many,” said Greg.

“It’s going to be a lot of hard work, but I’m here to make sure that we change the culture and change the conversation.”

Mr Baker said the new partnership with The Goanna Academy was just one of the initiatives the company was implementing in a new national health and wellbeing framework.

“I believe we have one of the best safety programs in the industry, and this partnership will further improve our approach,” Mark said

Statistical References

https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.... [+] Why Is Suicide So Widespread in the Construction Sector? (theurbandeveloper.com)

Photo credit NRL PHOTOS