Winslow sheds light on mental health

According to suicide prevention organisation, Mates in Construction, 190 construction workers in Australia take their lives each year.

That’s one every second day. In fact, statistics by the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) show that construction workers suffer among the highest rates of suicide of any occupation in Australia – over twice as likely as in any other industry.

Victoria-based civil contractor, Winslow Constructors is on a mission to shed a light on this pressing issue by launching an initiative to raise awareness of mental illness within the construction industry.

To mark the launch of the campaign, which will take place at the Rathdowne by Villawood site in Wollert (VIC) tomorrow (May 15), Winslow Constructors will be receiving a 30-plus-tonne Hitachi ZX360 excavator that has been painted the signature blue of leading mental health support group, Beyondblue.

The event will be attended by Minister for Roads, Luke Donellan, as well as former AFL player Danny Frawley who will be speaking on the topic of depression and the work he is doing in this space.

“We continue to hear very sobering stories about the toll mental illness takes on the civil construction industry, and as an industry leader we have decided to tackle this critical issue head on,” said Winslow Constructors CEO, Trevor Lockwood.

“At Winslow, we want to ensure every one of our employees is able to go home after work both physically and mentally fit.

“So it’s vital for them, and their families, that we head mental illness off at the pass wherever possible, and ‘Big Blue’ is just one way we wish to encourage our staff to take action if they find themselves anxious, depressed or even suicidal.”

Lockwood added the company has been providing training to its staff on mental wellbeing but felt more needed to be done to boost awareness in a male dominated industry where workers often feel the need to be ‘tough and resilient’.

“It doesn’t matter how tough or resilient someone is, anyone can still be assailed by anxiety or depression,” he said.

Throughout 2018, and with help from Beyondblue, Winslow will provide employees with greater access to resources and improved support networks through some positive initiatives.

Beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman commended Winslow for recognising the importance of improving the health and wellbeing of its workforce, and for taking a big step in the right direction.

“I can’t wait to see the ‘Big Blue’ in action onsite, generating awareness as it works away,” she said.

“We’re very thankful to organisations like Winslow for their support and demonstrating it in such a visually impactful and dramatic way.”

Lockwood also thanked Hitachi for its contribution and for letting Winslow paint the excavator blue.

“Hopefully the new colour can remind everyone – even just one person – that if they are having a difficult time, they are not alone at Winslow, there is always help, and always somewhere to turn,” he said.

“As ‘Big Blue’ makes its rounds to various Winslow projects during the year, it will hopefully keep mental health at the front of our workers’ minds and encourage people to talk and reach out.

“That’s what ‘Big Blue’ symbolises, because nothing, ultimately, is as important as the safety, health and the well-being of our workforce”.