This sought to examine the effective of Mates in Construction (MATES) training for MATES connectors and the barriers & motivations to help-seeking & help-offering for connectors (those that give support) and clients (whom receive help).
MATES is a multimodal suicide prevention & early intervention program delivering training & support to workers.
104 volunteers completed a short survey before & after MATES training & 27 people took part in interviews.
Results:
Results indicate a statistically significant increase in connectors’ self-reported suicide awareness & willingness to offer help to workmates.
For the interviews, thematic analysis revealed six themes for connectors.
1. Awareness, skills & confidence
Connectors were initially shocked to learn of the high suicide rate in construction & how this motivated them to continue to learn about the issue and learn the skills to assist. They spoke of how the training gave them confidence to detect if something is wrong and to offer assistance. Some indicated that prior to training, they were concerned about not knowing how to assist somebody in need.
2. Removing stigma
Training was seen to be effective in gradually removing the stigma of suicide in construction. These initiatives were seen to make discussing suicide acceptable compared to the past. Further it was seen that “it was extremely important to learn that it is beneficial, rather than dangerous to ask a potentially suicidal person if they are considering suicide” (p7).
3. Making a difference
Many spoke of the positivity in knowing they had helped someone and that it was rare that clients would reject help.
4. Understanding the industry
Connectors highlighted the importance of embedding MATES into the cultures of the construction industry so people can relate to it. Noted was that male construction workers were more comfortable talking to other workmates rather than calling a general helpline. It was also seen to be pitched at the right level without too much focus on psychology/menta health.
5. Simplicity of the model
Liked by connectors was the program’s simplicity, making it easy for them to implement and assist. They liked that MATES stressed that connectors aren’t there to fix problems but provide skills to connect the client to assistance.
6. Visibility, Camaraderie
Liked about MATES was its high visibility on sites. Camaraderie was seen around MATES.
Three key themes emerged from the clients’ perspectives.
1. Barriers & pathways to help-seeking
Key obstacles to help-seeking included traditional views like male stoicism & importance males place on being the provider. Asking for help was seen as a weakness, with some clients describing extreme reluctance to visit a doctor for help.
For pathways to seeking help, high visibility & promotion of things like MATES was seen positively; described as fundamental to their awareness that help was available. People could relate to the stories from MATES delegates & male peers about help seeking experiences.
2. Speaking the same language
The MATES initiative was seen to echo clients’ experiences in the industry and spoke the same language. As with connectors, clients also preferred to seek help from within the construction industry rather than a mainstream service provider.
3. Flow on effects
Clients spoke of their positive outcomes from receiving assistance from MATES volunteers. This had a flow on effect where their experience made them more aware of other peoples’ problems.
Overall, despite statistically significant increases post training, connectors already had quite high degrees of suicide awareness & willingness to help prior to MATES training. In contrast, their level of help-seeking was lower at baseline compared to post, indicating a “more obvious shift in attitudes pre- and post-training”
Further, it’s said that the simplicity of the MATES model makes it easy to implement & facilitate help-offering & help-seeking attitudes. It was important for them that their roles were seen to help connect people in need to those that can help rather than be seen to fix those peoples’ problems.
Connectors said workers weren’t always receptive to receiving help. Regardless, hearing male peers speak about their own help-seeking gave people confidence to reach out for help. Clients spoke of the positive outcomes they received by reaching out.
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