The Labor Party has promised to invest $4 million to establish a mental health training program for apprentices of all trades, including those in Melbourne’s north, should it retain government at the November state election.
In a statement, Labor said the program would cover topics such as financial literacy, drug, alcohol and gambling awareness, family violence prevention and respectful relationships, suicide prevention, managing anxiety and dealing with workplace stress.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said while there was plenty of talk during work breaks, there wasn’t a lot spoken about mental health.
“This investment will help challenge that stigma – and ultimately, help save lives,” Mr Andrews said.
“We’ve always stood shoulder to shoulder with tradies when it comes to their workplace health and safety – delivering workplace manslaughter and cracking down on unsafe bosses. When it comes to protecting these workers’ mental health – we’ll do exactly the same.”
Labor said apprentices were the “lifeblood” of the Big Build.
“But the sad reality is construction workers have some of the highest rates of suicide, with young tradies more than twice as likely to take their own lives than that of other men,” Labor said.
“Tradies are also at least six times more likely to die by suicide than as a result of workplace injury.
“And apprentice tradies are overwhelmingly young men, who are among the at-risk groups least likely to reach out for mental health support when they need it.”
If you, or anyone you know needs mental health support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
