Adam Howard says 30 years as a construction worker has opened his eyes to the pervasive mental health problems plaguing the industry.
The father of six is setting off this Sunday on a 190km plus trek from Merredin to Mundaring Weir to raise funds for support service Mates in Construction.
Mr Howard said he had seen firsthand how crucial support services were in the industry.
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READ NOW“There were two situations that I was a supervisor dealing with guys who were going through some serious life crises,” he said.
“I was able to call on the services of Mates in Construction to be able to help them out and I guess I realised the benefit of being able to call on the 24-7 helpline.”
Mates in Construction is a research-backed suicide prevention and support program that has offered outreach to struggling workers since 2008.
The charity tackles a disproportionate rate of suicide in the construction and building industry.
Research shows about 190 Australians working in the industry die by suicide each year, with 1947 male suicides in the industry identified between 2001 to 2010.
The Willetton resident said he felt the shorter-term nature of work could contribute to feelings of instability.
“I’ve been a construction manager, I’ve been supervising trades and apprentices, so I’ve felt the different capacities wage, contracting and stresses can put you through,” he said.
“Some people may only be getting a job that goes for six months and the next job may not be there.
“I think it compounds it physically as well; there’s a cost to people’s body, they’re working around the elements most of the time.”
His wife and children are joining Mr Howard on the trek, although he said the youngest of the six would not be actively walking the long journey.
Mr Howard says his chosen route from the Wheatbelt town to the Weir was not an accident.
The Howard family will follow the trail of the heritage-listed Goldfields Pipeline, which was completed in 1903.
Chief engineer C. Y. O’Connor was subject to extensive criticism towards the end of the construction project and committed suicide in 1902.
“It was certainly WA’s biggest construction project at the time,” Mr Howard said.
“And C. Y. O’Connor took his own life about a month beforehand.”
Mr Howard said he hoped the funds would boost the support service and raise awareness.
“I’ve seen the stress (this industry) can cause,” he said.
“It is an uncomfortable topic but it’s a reality.”
Donations can still be given to the Howard family online at mycause.com.au.
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