With R U OK? Day this week, Master Builders ACT is hoping to shine a spotlight on the impacts of lockdown on building and construction industry workers who are struggling with their mental health.
A recent survey of MBA members found one of the most severe impacts on business owners and workers has been on their mental health during the current lockdown.
CEO of MBA Michael Hopkins is calling on the ACT Government to research mental health in the construction industry with funding from the ACT Training Fund Authority (TFA) by auditing 150 apprentices and workers.
Mr Hopkins is hoping this request will see the ACT Government prioritise funding for the building and construction industry.
“In the first week of the construction industry shutdown, MBA members reported mental health as one of the most significant impacts on business owners and construction workers,” he said.
“For many construction workers, their families rely on them as the primary income earner.
“For others, working in construction is their life-long dream and purpose, and it has been taken away during lockdown.”
In addition to the funding, the MBA is seeking support for developing wellbeing and empowerment workshops for ACT construction workers.
“While everyone in the ACT construction industry responded quickly to shutdown work sites when the ACT lockdown began, the impacts of the lockdown are likely to have an impact on mental health lasting months and even years after the lockdown ends,” Mr Hopkins said.
“With support from the ACT Government, research and training programs can support business owners and workers during the lockdown and throughout the recovery phase to ensure that we protect the physical and mental health of the 20,000 people working in the local construction industry.”
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