When a professional football career was no longer on the horizon for 19-year-old Simon Tyler, he turned to construction work.
"A lot of my mates were doing it … and the industry had that kind of camaraderie, team mateship, that I really enjoyed at the footy club," explains Dr Tyler, now 37.
While construction offered those positive elements, there were aspects he wasn't expecting that ultimately had a negative effect on his mental health.
"Exposure to really long work hours, a lot of job insecurity, low job control, drinking and drug use as a way to cope — that jumped out at me.
"The culture of, 'lets just push forward, don't talk about our struggles.'"
Dr Tyler, who now works as a men's mental health researcher and psychologist treating men experiencing mental health and suicidal challenges, says those "psychosocial hazards and risks" contribute to high rates of suicide in the construction industry.
Construction workers are nearly twice as likely to take their own lives as other employed Australian men of the same age.
Dr Tyler says understanding the risks, and being able to identify when someone is struggling, can help us better support the construction workers in our lives.
Why suicide rates are high in construction
Beyond Blue chief engagement officer Greg Jennings says there is a stigma in male-dominated industries, especially construction, that discourages vulnerability.
"That harden-up mentality can make it hard for tradies to admit when they're struggling," he says.
"As much as we've made progress in the construction sector, the culture still does work against you."
Mr Jennings says the unique pressures of the industry also play a major role, taking a toll on a person's mental health over time.
"Long working hours and unsociable working hours — getting up early, working on weekends, overtime. That's time away from family and less time to connect with friends.
"The physical demands of the job, job insecurity — that can lead to financial stress, and it's a high-stress industry with high expectations."
Dr Tyler says a lot of time is spent considering physical hazards of the job, such as machinery incidents, but not enough attention is given to the "unseen stresses".
"There is a lot that is there, but fundamentally they are unseen, which is what is so challenging.
"It's not like a slip, trip and fall hazard."
Tony D. LaMontagne is a professor of work, health and wellbeing at Deakin University and says apprentices are at even greater risk, partly because they experience bullying at higher rates.
"They are young and inexperienced, and culturally, historically, construction has a very hierarchal culture.
"'We had to do it tough, so you can do it tough as well' — that sort of attitude."
The workplace, not the workers
Professor LaMontagne says it's the workplace, not the workers, that is the issue.
His research into the risk of suicide to migrant workers in the industry helped highlight that.
He found people who migrate to Australian tend to have lower suicide rates than Australian-born people.
But when you compare migrant workers in construction, and those who are not in the industry, there is an increase in the suicide rate.
"They start at a lower level, but the risk is increased by working in that sector."
Dr Tyler says it's easy to blame an individual for mental health struggles, but workplaces should be safe and supportive environments.
"We are often quick to criticise and say construction workers are yobbos, not overly mental-health aware.
"But when you start picking it apart … these suicides statistics are driven by attitudes and behaviours that we need to be stoic and self-reliant."
He says stoicism isn't a bad thing, but when we rely on it matters.
"If you need to get up at 6am, it's pissing with rain, cold, you have a two-hour drive to work and 10-hour workday ahead of you, self-reliance and stoicism is useful for that.
"But when it comes to mental health and suicide, stoicism and self-reliance is one of the worst things you can be leaning on.
"Especially when you're at crisis point."
Dr Tyler says challenging that stereotype in the workplace can help men feel confident to turn to workmates, family and friends, and ask for help.
Signs someone is struggling
A recent survey conducted by Beyond Blue and Steel Blue found that only 54 per cent of tradies felt comfortable talking to family or friends about their mental health.
Mr Jennings says that is down 10 per cent from last year.
While stress is a part of the construction industry, he says there are some signs and symptoms of mental health struggles and suicide ideation people can look out for in themselves, or their loved ones.
"People often miss the early warning signs. Someone might lose interest in something they used to enjoy, are struggling to concentrate, or just seem flat or not like themselves.
"A racing mind, irritability, withdrawing, changes in sleep or appetite."
Professor LaMontagne says other signs might be someone putting their affairs in order or handing out prized possessions.
Dr Tyler says increased drug and alcohol consumption, as well as gambling, are other signs.
"For me, it's always isolation. I retreat from friendships."
He says it's good to be up-front about what you are seeing and ask the person struggling if they are OK.
"Be direct, don't beat around the bush. And be prepared the answer might be 'I'm not travelling well, yes I need some help' and know what you can do."
Dr Tyler recommends offering a safe place to listen without judgement. And connecting them with resources that can help.
That might be Beyond Blue, the MATES helpline, a psychologist or GP.
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