MATES History & Vision

MATES is a charity created by the Construction Industry in 2008 to reduce the
high level of suicide among Australian construction workers. MATES has since expanded to serve workers of the Mining, Energy and Manufacturing industries, as well as the construction industry in New Zealand.

2006: AISRAP – Documented elevated suicide rates in the Queensland Construction Industry

2008: MATES in Construction QLD was formed with support of BERT

2012: MATES expands to New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia with the support or BIRST and Reddifund.

2014: MATES in Construction Australia was established.

2014: MATES in Mining program launched

2016: MATES in Energy program launched.

2017: Industry Roundtables held to commence the Australian Construction Industry Blueprint for Better Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

2019: MATES in Construction New Zealand launched.

2021: World Health Organisation endorsed MATES as a global example of best practice in workplace suicide prevention.

2024: MATES in Manufacturing launched.

2024: MATES Respond Training added to the MATES Program.

Our Vision

To be Australia’s leading industry suicide prevention organisation,
focusing on raising awareness, building capacity, providing help and research.

Our Values

- Proactive & responsive

- Supportive & non-judgemental

- Committed & dependable

- Honest & respectful

The MATES Program is one of training and support.

• Enables workers to be aware of invitations from workmates that they may be doing it tough.
• Connector Volunteers are equipped with the skills to connect a workmate in distress to appropriate support.
• ASIST Volunteers are capable of keeping a mate safe for now while connecting to help.
• 24/7 Helpline provides support by qualified counsellors and psychologists.
• MATES Case Management is available for those who need ongoing support.
• Research ensures this model remains the best available for our industry.

Through our case management services, we link workers to practical help. We also collaborate with research institutions to gather valuable insights, guided by the MATES National Board. Our values—proactive, supportive, committed, and respectful—drive our efforts to support mental health and prevent suicide in our industry.

Industry partners, MATES sites, Connector and ASIST volunteers, along with our broader industry, are committed agents of change, driven to create a culture within our workplaces that is supportive of workers.

The MATES Program, coupled with the Construction Blueprint for Better Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, forms a comprehensive system that promotes environments conducive to improving mental health.

This approach is proving a positive influence, demonstrated in declining rates of suicide among construction workers.