Macho attitudes in the construction industry are contributing to high rates of suicide.

The New Zealand Construction Industry has the highest percentage of suicide for employed men of any industry, according to just-released research by the Building Research Association of New Zealand (Branz).

At 6.9 per cent of all suicides, it is marginally higher than that of farming and forestry, which sits at 6.8 per cent.

Macho and bullying culture was the main reason suggested by 15 interviewees who also cited intolerance of different people on the work site as main contributors to poor mental health.

The study cited a culture of "toxic masculinity" - or the "take a concrete pill and harden up" attitude, boom and bust cycles, drug and alcohol abuse, customers demanding more, an undervalued career, and conflicts between young and older men on site.

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The authors of the study, Kate Bryson and Anne Duncan said research in Australia indicated construction workers were six times more likely to die by suicide than in a workplace accident.

As a result, countries such as Australia, the UK and the US have introduced initiatives such as the Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme (MATES).

Interviewees als gave examples of industry change for the better.

SUPPLIED People are talking more openly about suicide and its causes.

One interviewee described a time when a fellow tradesperson checked in with him every day to make sure he was ok after he confided that he was going through a difficult time.

Another interviewee said that the increasing number of women entering the industry was changing the culture on work sites and it was good for the industry.

An interviewee who moved from commercial to residential construction said that the work environment on residential sites was much healthier and more enjoyable.

There were also encouraging stories from interviewees in leadership positions who described fostering a more supportive working environment where employees were encouraged to ask for or accept help when offered.

"There was an indisputable appetite for culture change among interviewees," the authors concluded.

The boom-bust industry cycle and resulting pressure was seen as a significant factor driving stress.

Those interviewed said the boom cycle was the most stressful, because of the pressure to deliver quickly and in quantity.

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During boom times there were not enough people to keep up with demand, resulting in long hours, fatigue and lack of work-life balance with separation and divorce becoming risk factors for mental illness and suicide, the study found.

One interviewee said "the boom cycle breaks people" because they let their ego drive their business decisions and over-committed firms.

Branz general manager industry research Dr Chris Litten said poor mental health or distress caused absenteeism, lower productivity and increasing costs.

Litten said the intergenerational issues were enlightening - older workers on the job for 20 or 30 years were more inclined towards the "harden up" mentality.

"Younger men are more connected with social media and more open to expressing their feelings as we often see on the rugby field nowadays."

Drug and alcohol abuse was also mentioned by the majority of interviewees who believed some people were self-medicating to deal with stress at work and at home.

Some interviewees said the companies they worked for offered drug counselling to employees who had failed a drugs test.

One interviewee said that they dreaded each drug testing round as they knew there would be valuable employees who might fail a test and some companies kept drug testing to a minimum to avoid losing staff.

One interviewee said that construction sites were generally overtly homophobic, and no one could be "openly gay" on site.

Other interviewees noted that increasing numbers of migrant workers in the construction industry raised the potential for racial tension on worksites.

The Branz study was titled Mental health in the construction industry​ scoping study.

WHERE TO GET HELP

1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland

Samaritans – 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

thelowdown.co.nz – or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626

Anxiety New Zealand - 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)

Supporting Families in Mental Illness - 0800 732 825.

Alcoholics Anonymous - 0800 AA WORKS, or aa.org.nz.

If it is an emergency or you, or someone you know, is at risk call 111.

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