62 | Richard Loader Programme targets men’s mental health There are multiple factors that mean workers in the construction industry struggle with their mental health — long hours, physical work, gruelling and laborious tasks, chronic pain, financial insecurity, and job uncertainty are just a few. Du Val Group: Mountain Vista Estate DEVELOPMENT The construction industry has one of the highest rates of suicide in New Zealand. Construction work is anything but easy. Full of inherent risks and potential dangers, there are multiple factors that mean workers in this industry struggle with their mental health — long hours, physical work, gruelling and laborious tasks, chronic pain, financial insecurity, and job uncertainty are just a few. Solid Ground is a mental health and well-being support programme that has been championed by Du Val Group. It is specifically designed to help promote men’s mental health and suicide prevention in the construction sector, by normalising courageous conversations and providing workers on construction sites access to mental health support whenever and wherever it’s needed. “Our people matter which is why our mission is to prioritise men’s mental health by helping them to understand and take care of their mental health and well-being,” says Kristen Holland, Du Val’s Property and Construction Director. “Working alongside our partners and sponsors, industry champions and a growing community of supporters, the Solid Ground programme delivers effective change in our construction sector that ultimately saves lives and builds safer communities. “Our team understand the difficulty many men face in talking about their mental health. Tackling some of the challenges they deal with every day can be tough. We also know that adequate support can often be inaccessible or unaffordable.” Solid Ground is different. It is tailored, simple, accessible, and convenient. It combines emotional support with practical insight and tools in a language that resonates. Most importantly, it creates meaningful connections to normalise courageous conversation about mental health. Facilitated by iConnect, specialists in men’s mental health and wellbeing provide support in physical workplaces around New Zealand, seeking to make genuine connections with the men and shift the culture around men speaking up in male-dominated workplaces. Individual sessions can be booked and hosted online which means they can take place anywhere that is comfortable and convenient. Kristen says feelings of worthlessness, failure and inadequacy are prominent for some men, with very few options for them to reach out to. The Solid Ground support programme offers men a space to work through their feelings of disappointment, trauma, pain and uncertainty and specialist support facilitators are trained to help them realise that there is the ability to rebuild. “Delivering effective change requires a community to work together. It’s the partnerships we have formed with key organisations across the construction industry which are central to our mission to make a meaningful difference, and ultimately save lives. Workplace-based interventions for mental health and well-being are effective in improving productivity and reducing absenteeism and presenteeism. Through their generous donations, our industry partners have supported this programme to start normalising the conversation about mental health amongst men who work on construction sites. This assistance has given us the opportunity to address the challenge many men face in reaching for help and having courageous conversations.” “Our team understand the difficulty many men face in talking about their mental health.” • Ribraft X-Pod & Poly-pod Floor House Foundations • Sub Grade Bridging • Tilt Slabs • Block walls • Reinforcing Blockwork for Residential Homes • Block wall retaining • Commercial/Industrial projects i f l l i i i il l l ll • Reinforcing Blockwork for Residential Homes l ll i i i l I i l j 0274 916 485 tscconstruction@outlook.com | www.tscconstruction.co.nz i l . | . i . .
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