MATES in Mining

MATES is a suicide prevention charity that was established in partnership with the Australian Construction industry in 2008, and has since grown to include divisions in Mining, Energy and Manufacturing. The MATES program focuses on raising awareness and preventing suicide within industry. At MATES we work closely with industry to make mental health awareness and suicide prevention a natural part of the onsite culture.

MATES in Mining delivers an integrated program of workforce capacity building and support, utilising training as a tool to raise awareness about suicide and mental health. MATES works from the fundamental principle that increasing
the capacity of individuals and communities to better recognise and respond to suicide related behaviours, is essential to reducing suicides. The MATES Program has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation as an example of Global Best Practise in Workplace Suicide Prevention (LIVE LIFE: An Implementation Guide for Suicide Prevention in Countries, 2021).

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

MATES MISSION
Utilising the capacity of our members and franchises, we achieve our vision by focusing on:

• RAISING AWARENESS: Open and direct communication with all levels of industry via: MATES training workshops, on-site support activities, MATES events, social media, MATES online and newsletters.
• CAPACITY BUILDING: Actively engaging industry in sustainable programs including General Awareness Training, Connector, Re-Connector and ASIST workshops. All MATES programs contribute to building a peer network of workers who have the skills and capacity to offer help to a mate. Taking the emphasis off the individual to help-seek and create a help-offering suicide safer community within industry
• PROVIDING SUPPORT: MATES Case Managers work with individuals to create a tailored plan connecting to existing support options, ensuring that supports are both practical and useful.