BLUEHATS COMBAT SUICIDE

The figures are confronting: In the most recent figures available, 3,128 people took their own lives in Australia - around 2,400 of them men.

These shocking statistics are double the road toll plus homicides combined.

It is against this tragic backdrop that Incolink last year launched a new suicide awareness and prevention program called Bluehats.

Bluehats supports construction workers in Victoria who are struggling with their mental health by encouraging them to talk to someone. As the name suggests, Bluehats-trained workers wear a blue hard hat which makes them easy to spot on site.

Unfortunately, too many of us know someone who has been impacted.

Ours is a tough industry and one that is over-represented in suicide statistics. Bluehats aims to change that.

Importantly, the program has industry-wide backing, having been co-designed by Incolink, unions and employer organisations.

Incolink’s Bluehats suicide prevention initiative will help workers doing it tough by providing someone to talk to onsite. Bluehats can connect workers to support services if they need them.

Around 40 Bluehats workers are currently on sites, with more being trained by Incolink.

As part of the Bluehats program, one-hour General Awareness Sessions (GAS) will be held for all industry workers this year. These sessions are designed to be an extended ‘tool box’ on mental health and wellbeing. Anyone who participates in the GAS can volunteer for the full-day Bluehats training at Incolink.

Remember, Incolink’s counselling service is available 24/7 for you and your family. Call 1300 000 129 to talk to someone. Incolink Employer Members interested in accessing Bluehats training for their work site, should go to incolink.org.au/bluehats and complete the form or call 03 9668 3013 for more information.