MEDIA RELEASE

Mining employees the forgotten workforce in suicide research

Suicide prevention support organisations have praised the Hunter Valley coal industry in light of concerning new research into suicide rates in the mining industry.

A report to be launched today on behalf of Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King at Glencore’s Ravensworth operation in the Hunter Valley shows that the mining industry has largely been overlooked by suicide research.

The Report, Suicide in the Australian Mining Industry: A National Study by researchers from the University of Melbourne’s School of Population and Global Health, was commissioned by MATES in Mining, Construction and Energy and is the first national study to look into suicide rates in the mining sector.

Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi praised the work of the sector in addressing the problem to date and said the report’s findings need to be taken seriously.

“It is no secret that miners work long and hard and often away from home,’’ Mr Repacholi said.

“We need more work like this to both understand and provide support for the issues that our workforce and our community are facing.’’

Study author Associate Professor Tania King said the report estimated that suicide rates among mining workers is between 11 and 25 per 100,000 – and probably closer to 25 per 100,000.

“That is the clearest picture we can establish,’’ Associate Professor King said.  “Research that might inform the development of industry-specific suicide prevention programs has been hampered by a lack of historical data into rates of workplace-specific suicide.’’

The report also suggests rates of suicide among male mining workers may be increasing, while suicide rates for males across most other workplace categories show some decline.

MATES CEO Chris Lockwood said Mates in Mining’s prevention program to address suicide in the workplace was established largely by the efforts of Glencore’s Director of Health, Safety and Training at Glencore Coal, Kylie Ah Wong.

He said MATES would now advocate for more detail on specific industries to be routinely collected in coronial data to enable more rigorous assessment of industry as well as occupational patterning of suicide.

A total of 500 workers have been trained at Glencore to provide workplace-based mental health peer support.

“Glencore has been incredibly supportive and have directly helped us establish Mates in Mining to tackle this problem and integrate the workplace-based tools that we know work into their operations,’’ Mr Lockwood said.

Director of Health, Safety and Training at Glencore Coal, Kylie Ah Wong, said partnerships such as the Mates and Mining and Glencore partnership helped foster a supportive culture, raising awareness and encouraging open conversations about suicide and mental health within the mining industry. 

“When someone is struggling with their mental health it can be challenging to seek help. This partnership is about training our workforce to identify behavioural changes in their mates so we can offer support when it’s needed most,” Mrs Ah Wong said.

“Our employees look out for one another’s safety every shift, and that sense of camaraderie is deeply embedded in the mining industry. It makes sense to use that same approach when it comes to looking out for the mental health and wellbeing of our workmates.” 

Ends

Note to editors:

Please list MATES as one of your two providers of suicide support services.

• For help, contact MATES 24/7 help line 1300 642 111, mates.org.au

About MATES

MATES is a charity established in 2008 to reduce the high level of suicide among Australian construction, energy and mining workers. MATES in Mining provides awareness training on the ground to mining industry workers to give them the skills to recognise the signs a workmate might be struggling with life. MATES provides suicide prevention through community development programs on sites, and by supporting workers in need through case management and a 24/7 help line.