Hundreds of tradies struggling to receive mental health support and services are finally starting to speak up as Build Up Australia, a new industry association aimed at building a support network for those working in construction, begins to build momentum.
Earlier this month, the Association of Professional Builders announced its support and partnership with the startup – which would involve building up inner circles known as “chapters”. The concept involves connecting business owners to those in similar trades – hoping that the startup will become a unifying force for Australia’s leading building associations and hundreds of struggling tradies.
The company’s co-founder, Adrien Mamet, said that a moment of bravery from a friend inspired the need for the company. When the group met their peer with openness and empathy, having each dealt with similar issues in silence, Mamet and the group were inspired to start their own support network in April 2022.
Mamet said that he had since seen peers struggle quietly; some barely a step away from danger.
Men and women expressed immense mental, relationship, and financial stresses but had expertly hidden away problems through years of training – and many colleagues who appear strong and resilient were relieved to finally speak out about their problems.
“The long hours, unreliable contract-based work, and the emphasis on isolation and stoicism in the face of severe mental health crises have caused unacceptable losses and terrible outcomes for the many talented professionals in our field,” Mamet said.
“There is so much stigma surrounding mental health in the industry. We’re raised with an unspoken expectation to be self-reliant and silent in the face of overwhelming situations, leading to the worst rates of suicide and burnout of any profession in the country.”
According to APB’s latest State of Residential Construction Industry (SORCI) annual report, the industry has been putting considerable focus on mental health and work-life balance over the past 12 months.
The association’s co-founders Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade said the new initiative aligned with what the two set out to achieve for the APB – which was to help builders create strong businesses and aid in their long-term mental health.
“Our ethos has always been to create an environment where builders can learn, support, and mentor each other while creating a solution for these challenges together,” Stephens said.
“It was only natural that we would partner with Adrien and his team at BuildUp Australia, and it’s making a huge difference.”
The APB expects the partnership to help more than 750 members across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.