“And you feel like you’re suffocating … how the fuck am I going to get out of all this?” Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industry
IntroductionThis research was designed to generate understandings of drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation and distress among Australian Construction Industry (ACI) workers, as well as what helped during these experiences.MethodsFifteen participants, from a variety of ACI or closely associate...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1144314/full |
| _version_ | 1797829002487922688 |
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| author | Simon Tyler Kate Gunn Bob Clifford Nicholas Procter |
| author_facet | Simon Tyler Kate Gunn Bob Clifford Nicholas Procter |
| author_sort | Simon Tyler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThis research was designed to generate understandings of drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation and distress among Australian Construction Industry (ACI) workers, as well as what helped during these experiences.MethodsFifteen participants, from a variety of ACI or closely associated roles, with an average age of 45 years (29–66), engaged in individual, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded with consent and analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis.ResultsEight themes relating to what may drive the presence of suicidal ideation and distress were identified; 1) challenges of working within the ACI, 2) relationship and family issues, 3) social disconnection, 4) personal financial hardship, 5) perceived lack of support, 6) alcohol and drug use, 7) child custody/access and legal issues, and 8) experience of mental health challenges, trauma, or a significant adverse life event. Four themes relating to experience and expression of suicidal ideation and distress were identified: 1) suicidal thoughts, 2) impaired thinking, 3) observable expressions of suicidal distress, and 4) lack of observable expressions of suicidal distress. Six themes relating to what helped during experiences and well as what can be done by the ACI to help mitigate experiences, were identified: 1) presence of colleague and managerial support, 2) MATES in Construction, 3) engagement with non-work activities and social support, 4) personal skills and knowledge relating to suicide and mental health, 5) high level industry integration and engagement with support programs, and 6) work hours and expectations changes.DiscussionFindings highlight several industry and personal related challenges that may drive experiences, with many potentially mitigatable by ACI changes and focused prevention strategies. Participant suicidal thought descriptions align with previously identified constructs deemed central in suicidal trajectories. While findings highlight several observable expressions of suicidal ideation and distress, challenges associated with identifying and assisting individuals in the ACI who may be struggling were also reported. Several factors that helped ACI workers during their experiences, as well as what the ACI can do to mitigate future experiences, were identified. Recommendations are made based on these findings, encouraging a more supportive work environment, as well as continued development and increased awareness of support and education systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:14:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-64ea0bc3dd8a4886b66517a923ced420 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:14:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-64ea0bc3dd8a4886b66517a923ced4202023-05-12T04:43:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402023-05-011410.3389/fpsyt.2023.11443141144314“And you feel like you’re suffocating … how the fuck am I going to get out of all this?” Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industrySimon Tyler0Kate Gunn1Bob Clifford2Nicholas Procter3Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaAllied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaMATES in Construction South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaMental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaIntroductionThis research was designed to generate understandings of drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation and distress among Australian Construction Industry (ACI) workers, as well as what helped during these experiences.MethodsFifteen participants, from a variety of ACI or closely associated roles, with an average age of 45 years (29–66), engaged in individual, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded with consent and analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis.ResultsEight themes relating to what may drive the presence of suicidal ideation and distress were identified; 1) challenges of working within the ACI, 2) relationship and family issues, 3) social disconnection, 4) personal financial hardship, 5) perceived lack of support, 6) alcohol and drug use, 7) child custody/access and legal issues, and 8) experience of mental health challenges, trauma, or a significant adverse life event. Four themes relating to experience and expression of suicidal ideation and distress were identified: 1) suicidal thoughts, 2) impaired thinking, 3) observable expressions of suicidal distress, and 4) lack of observable expressions of suicidal distress. Six themes relating to what helped during experiences and well as what can be done by the ACI to help mitigate experiences, were identified: 1) presence of colleague and managerial support, 2) MATES in Construction, 3) engagement with non-work activities and social support, 4) personal skills and knowledge relating to suicide and mental health, 5) high level industry integration and engagement with support programs, and 6) work hours and expectations changes.DiscussionFindings highlight several industry and personal related challenges that may drive experiences, with many potentially mitigatable by ACI changes and focused prevention strategies. Participant suicidal thought descriptions align with previously identified constructs deemed central in suicidal trajectories. While findings highlight several observable expressions of suicidal ideation and distress, challenges associated with identifying and assisting individuals in the ACI who may be struggling were also reported. Several factors that helped ACI workers during their experiences, as well as what the ACI can do to mitigate future experiences, were identified. Recommendations are made based on these findings, encouraging a more supportive work environment, as well as continued development and increased awareness of support and education systems.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1144314/fullconstruction industrysuicidesuicidal ideationmental healthdistressprevention |
| spellingShingle | Simon Tyler Kate Gunn Bob Clifford Nicholas Procter “And you feel like you’re suffocating … how the fuck am I going to get out of all this?” Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industry Frontiers in Psychiatry construction industry suicide suicidal ideation mental health distress prevention |
| title | “And you feel like you’re suffocating … how the fuck am I going to get out of all this?” Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industry |
| title_full | “And you feel like you’re suffocating … how the fuck am I going to get out of all this?” Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industry |
| title_fullStr | “And you feel like you’re suffocating … how the fuck am I going to get out of all this?” Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industry |
| title_full_unstemmed | “And you feel like you’re suffocating … how the fuck am I going to get out of all this?” Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industry |
| title_short | “And you feel like you’re suffocating … how the fuck am I going to get out of all this?” Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industry |
| title_sort | and you feel like you re suffocating how the fuck am i going to get out of all this drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the australian construction industry |
| topic | construction industry suicide suicidal ideation mental health distress prevention |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1144314/full |
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