Does Help Seeking Behavior Change Over Time Following a Workplace Mental Health Intervention in the Coal Mining Industry?

Sayers, Emma; Rich, Jane; Rahman, Mijanur; Kelly, Brian; James, Carole

doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000001605

Cited by 44 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Some gender differences were also seen, with females showing a greater positive change in several of the suicide awareness items and males showing greater improvement in one of the help-seeking items. These findings are important given that previous MATES evaluation studies focused on the male-dominated industries of construction and mining, both comprised of approximately 90% males [ 17 , 19 , 20 ]. In contrast, the current sample of energy workers was comprised of approximately 27% females.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Training is tiered so that those self-identified during GAT can go on to receive more in-depth Connector training to become volunteer worksite peer supporters [ 6 ]. Evidence suggests that the MATES programs are effective in increasing suicide literacy and help-seeking awareness in the construction and mining industries, and are viewed as acceptable by the intended workers and workplaces [ 6 , 8 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. The program has been applied to the mining sector (Mates in Mining) [ 16 , 17 ], and in 2017 the MATES in Energy program was established to extend the MATES program to promote better mental health and reduce suicide within the energy sector.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence suggests that the MATES programs are effective in increasing suicide literacy and help-seeking awareness in the construction and mining industries, and are viewed as acceptable by the intended workers and workplaces [ 6 , 8 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. The program has been applied to the mining sector (Mates in Mining) [ 16 , 17 ], and in 2017 the MATES in Energy program was established to extend the MATES program to promote better mental health and reduce suicide within the energy sector. Under the MATES in Energy program, GAT has been thus far delivered to 7422 workers, Connector training to 1133, ASIST training to 99, and 89 workers have received case management.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Program for the Energy Sector

Ross

Caton

Mathieu

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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There is evidence indicating that traditionally male-dominated occupations are associated with greater risk of suicide. In Australia, MATES in Construction was developed as an occupational health initiative to prevent suicides in the industry. The program has recently been applied to the energy industry; however, little is known regarding exposure to suicide and suicide prevention interventions in this sector. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of MATES in Energy general awareness training (GAT), and estimate the prevalence of recent suicidal ideation and exposure to suicidal behaviors in workers. A before and after design was used to examine the effectiveness of GAT training. Data were collected from 4887 participants undertaking GAT training at energy sites across Queensland, Australia. In total, 2% (97) of participants reported recent suicidal thoughts, 65% of participants reported they had known someone who had attempted suicide, and 69% had known someone who died by suicide. Significant improvements were found on all suicide literacy items after GAT training. Younger people were more likely to be positively affected by the intervention. The results indicate that the MATES in Energy program is successfully transitioning from the construction industry, and offers the first empirically supported suicide intervention tailored to the energy sector.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Program for the Energy Sector

Ross

Caton

Mathieu

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…Nevertheless, those studies were limited to GAT training and did not include follow-up. Sayers et al [8], found some evidence for long-term change in help-seeking behaviours in the mining industry after MATES in mining training (including GAT); however, they were not able to match participants across the three data collection time points and thus unable to complete a longitudinal analysis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous pre-post training evaluation research has shown GAT to be an effective program in fostering suicide prevention awareness [6] and shifting attitudes towards suicide and mental health [7]. In addition, the overall MATES program has been found to increase help-seeking behaviours and reduce stigma around mental health issues in the mining industry [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Longitudinal Assessment of Two Suicide Prevention Training Programs for the Construction Industry

Ross

Caton

Gullestrup³

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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As part of a suite of early intervention training and support services, Mates in Construction (MATES) provide two general awareness programs to promote mental health and suicide awareness and encourage help-offering and help-seeking in construction workers. General awareness training (GAT) is a one-hour session delivered to all construction workers on large to medium worksites, while MATES awareness training (MAT) maintains similar content but is of shorter duration and delivered informally to small workplaces. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the two programs using a before, after and follow-up design. Construction workers undertaking MAT or GAT training completed a short survey before and after their training and again at follow-up. Linear mixed-effect modelling indicated that GAT and MAT training provided similar results in improving suicide awareness and help-seeking intentions. Some variables showed a significant increase from pre-intervention to the three-month follow-up, indicating the long-term impact of some aspects of the training. The findings demonstrating the effectiveness of MAT training have important implications for MATES, as the training can be delivered to much smaller workplaces, making the program more widely available to the construction industry.

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