Tasmania already has a high suicide rate relative to the national average. But according to consulting firm Price Waterhouse Coopers, construction workers are still more than twice as likely to commit suicide as their counterparts in the general community. The industry is one of the worst in terms of substance abuse.

There is a very high prevalence of anxiety, depression and other affective disorders. One in four construction workers reports suffering from some mental illness or another. Construction workers are also more likely to gamble, more prone to family breakdown and domestic violence, and more susceptible to alcoholism. In effectively addressing these issues, we need to better understand them.

It is important to note that the demographic profile of the construction labour force is dominated by men, aged 18-40. Regardless of occupation, this demographic group is by far the most vulnerable to mental illness and suicide in our society. It’s hard to avoid the conclusion, therefore, that at least some of the elevated risk we see in the construction industry comes down to basic demographics alone.

To this elevated risk profile, however, the construction industry adds its own specific pressures. As I’ve noted, few industries are so directly affected as construction by broader volatility in the economy.

Regular peaks and troughs, even the kind of fluctuations I described in the Tasmanian industry a moment ago, are enough to seriously undercut a level of job security conducive to mental health. The transient nature of construction work means crews and personnel on site are often changing. This can hamper the ability of even well-meaning colleagues from lending effective or consistent forms of support.

Then there are the cultural factors, themselves deeply rooted in the economic and demographic realities of the industry. Emotional instability does not generally fit within accepted norms of a male dominated workplace. For that reason, it is often dangerously repressed.

Those who speak up, let alone seek professional help, often feel stigmatised. And that sense of stigmatisation is complicated by barriers to communication with colleagues and supervisors as a result of a work environment.

Finally, construction sites unfortunately remain fertile ground for bullying and harassment. While some progress has been made, there remains an unacceptable tolerance for this kind of predatory behaviour within pockets of the industry.

Of course, just as there is no single cause, of mental illness in the industry, nor is there a silver bullet solution. Rather, a long-term and multi-disciplinary approach is needed – one which encompasses responsibilities for all stakeholders.

- INDEPENDENT SENATOR STEVE MARTIN