MATES has unveiled a range of branded hi-vis workwear designed to recognise and celebrate trained volunteers who provide peer-based suicide prevention support across the construction, energy, mining and manufacturing industries.

Developed in partnership with TRu Workwear (TruBrands/Private Brands), the MATES Workwear Range goes beyond functional safety gear, serving as a visible symbol of leadership, connection and care on worksites across Australia.

The range includes the red MATES General Awareness Shirt, available to the public to show support for MATES programs; the green MATES Connector Shirt, exclusive to trained MATES Connector volunteers and the blue MATES ASIST Shirt, issued to volunteers upon completing ASIST training. Each lightweight, vented long-sleeve hi-vis shirt features reflective tape, durable construction and clear identifiers for each training level, helping make the peer support network visible on worksites.

“MATES volunteers are the heartbeat of what we do, they are the ones who notice when someone’s struggling and step forward to make a difference,” MATES chief executive Jorgen Gullestrup says.

“This workwear range recognises that courage. When someone puts on a MATES shirt, it’s more than a uniform, it is a signal that help, understanding and hope are close by.”