Anxiety nails tradies
Self-reliant men at risk of suicides
THE mental health of tradies is in the spotlight after it was revealed that 40 tradesmen take their own lives each year.
The shocking number has local counsellors urging physical labourers to “take action”.
Local counsellor Kylie Nix said construction and fly-in fly-out jobs were particularly tough for men.
“Occupation sites, such as construction and mining, are more likely to be made up of self-reliant men who are uncomfortable and unlikely to ask for help, who are working away from their loved ones and supports, anxious about job security and money, worried about getting killed or seriously injured (on the job),” she said.
Ms Nix said men who were too proud to look for help were putting themselves at risk.
“Men’s strong sense of selfreliance may be placing them at an increased risk of suicide if it means they aren’t seeking help or are blaming themselves when things go wrong,” the Fix It Counselling owner said.
Manunda carpenter Ryan Davies said the stress of working long days had taken its toll throughout his six-year career in the industry.
“You work 10-hour days some days with early starts and late finishes,” he said.
“You have to make sure you take regular breaks on the weekends and make sure you don’t get too stressed.”
He said his coping mechanism for work stress was exercise, but recognised that everyone had different ways of coping.
“I exercise pretty regularly and like to keep fit,” Mr Davies said. “I go to the gym every afternoon after work and use it as an outlet. It keeps me pretty balanced,” he said.
Ms Nix’s tips for getting through rough mental health patches are to talk about it and take action.
“They should talk about what’s worrying them to their mates, family, employer, doctor or professional services,” she said.
“If something’s getting you down, do something about it. Make the phone call, book the appointment.”