The annual Steel Blue ‘Boot the Blues’ for Beyond Blue fundraising campaign recently hosted an online event attended by employers and workers within the resources, construction, agriculture and trades industries. When asked if they had accessed any supports and services to support their mental health, 40% of respondents to the Steel Blue Boot the Blues survey said they had spoken to a friend or family member and almost 30% had turned to their GP. In total, almost seven out of 10 had reached out to some form of support service suggesting that there is improving mental health awareness among men in blue collar industries.

Speaking at the event, Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Adviser, Beyond Blue, said friends and family are often the first port of call for Australians experiencing mental health challenges, adding that it is encouraging to see how tradies are becoming more comfortable speaking to someone and asking for help. “The importance of initiatives like Steel Blue’s collaboration with Beyond Blue is a real game changer. It opens up the conversation and reminds tradies who are experiencing mental health problems that they’re not alone and it’s worth accessing the excellent support out there which can literally change people’s lives and help them get back on track,” Blashki said.

Steel Blue Chief Sales Officer and Founding Director Ross Fitzgerald said the company has supported Beyond Blue for almost 10 years, working to raise awareness of good mental health across Australian worksites. “The knock-on effects of poor mental health among tradies can’t be understated in both economic, health and social terms. Physical health is often impacted during times of stress, which can lead to extended periods of time off work and loss of income,” Fitzgerald said.

Compared to 12 months earlier, 63% of survey respondents agreed that they know how to protect their mental health in times of stress, while 72% said they have a hobby that helps them relax. Additionally, 55% of respondents said they would reach out for help if they were experiencing distress, while 60% said they would feel comfortable talking to friends and family. 60% of respondents also said they were feel comfortable seeking professional help. In further encouraging signs, compared to 12 months earlier, 84% disagreed with the statement that depression is a sign of weakness.

Blashki said the ‘tough guy image’ of the blue collar worker is often a barrier to some seeking help for their mental health. “It’s very positive to see how many of the survey respondents dismissed the idea of depression being a sign of weakness. As a GP, I have seen a marked increase in the number of tradies walking through my door asking for help and I always make a point of taking seriously their mental health when the primary diagnosis is a physical injury.”

Steel Blue, which conducted the research in support of its partnership with Beyond Blue, has raised more than $400,000 for Beyond Blue, donating $10 from every sale of its blue safety boots. These funds have helped over 6150 Australians access free support. The Steel Blue survey found that speaking with others was the most common way for respondents to support their own mental health and wellbeing, with 40.48% having spoken to a friend or family member about their mental health and wellbeing. Furthermore, 18.59% of respondents have had an appointment with a psychologist.

Poor mental health has also had a considerable impact on survey respondents’ lives, as 30% have lost income, 47% have lost or had negatively impacted relationships and 54% have experienced decreased physical health. Half of the survey respondents said that poor mental health had an impact on their physical health, with one in four respondents having taken extended periods of time off work as a result of a physical injury at work. Over half of the respondents said that the injury impacted their mental health.

Image credit: iStock.com/SeventyFour