Mental health expert Nick discusses the critical importance of mental wellbeing in workplace settings, particularly in high-risk industries like construction where suicide rates dramatically exceed physical workplace fatalities.

• Mental health is often the "invisible elephant in the room" – recognized as an issue but not understood in scale
• Workplaces typically have extensive systems for physical safety but lack equivalent protocols for mental wellbeing
• Creating "alert communities" means training people to recognize mental health signs and respond appropriately
• Staying connected with someone experiencing mental health challenges has immense value
• Leaders should model openness about their own mental state to create psychological safety for team members
• We often already discuss mental health without realizing it – stress, sleep issues, family challenges
• Mental health should be treated with the same priority as physical health conditions
• The R U OK? initiative provides a simple but powerful starting point for meaningful conversations
• For those struggling, approach mental health like physical health – seek professional support
• If initial help-seeking doesn't work, keep trying – medicarementalhealth.gov.au offers comprehensive resources

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.