SkillsTech Australia showed its support for Mental Health Month by raising money for the Mates in Construction charity with cricket games and morning teas in October.

SkillsTech Australia’s student support services manager Dr Chis Summers says Mates in Construction helped people in the construction industry at risk of suicide.

“The suicide rate for young workers in the Queensland construction industry is more than two times higher than the national average for men,” Dr Summers says.

“Not only is the education and training paramount at SkillsTech Australia but we also aim to help our students grow and develop and this includes providing pathways to assist with their wellbeing.

“Friendly cricket bowling competitions were held at our Bracken Ridge and Eagle Farm training centres and morning teas were held across the Acacia Ridge Training Centre, collectively raising funds for SkillsTech Australia’s corporate charity Mates in Construction.

“Mates in Construction is a great model for delivering better health and wellbeing outcomes for workers in the Queensland construction and building industry.”

Mates in Construction in partnership with SkillsTech Australia has extended its life skills program for at risk students to staff with general awareness training conducted for staff.

More than 135 have completed the training and 100 are undergoing further training to become “Connectors” who can connect students or staff directly to appropriate assistance.

The charity was recently awarded Suicide Prevention Australia’s LIFE Award for Healthy Communities Organisation.