2022 Charity Partner

Pictured: Kent Vickers, MPAQ President, Nick Thompson, MATES in Construction CEO, and Penny Cornah, MPAQ Executive Director

Throughout 2022, MPAQ was proud to raise important funds for MATES in Construction.

MATES is a charity established in 2008 to reduce the high level of suicide among Australian construction workers. MATES in Construction provides suicide prevention through community development programs on sites, and by supporting workers in need through case management and a 24/7 help line. MATES was established in response to a major report on suicide (the ‘AISRAP Report’) within the Queensland Commercial Building and Construction Industry. This report found that suicide rates in the industry were higher than the Australian average for men, and that youth suicide within the industry could be as much as 2.38 times more common than among other young Australian men.

The MATES program is based on the simple idea that suicide is everyone’s business. If the building and construction industry in Australia is to improve the mental health and well-being of workers and reduce suicide, then it cannot be left to mental health professionals: everyone in the industry must play their part.

Working for the construction industry in general, MATES in Construction is independent of employers and unions and never works directly for an employer. Programs are delivered across the industry regardless of employer or union affiliation. MATES in Construction appreciates the support from all parts of the construction industry which in turn allows us to work with all parts of the industry to improve the mental health and well-being of workers and reduce suicide.

We are excited to announce that we raised a total of $16,500 for MATES at our 2022 events!