CPB Contractors Boost Mental Health Awareness

In an unprecedented move within the construction sector, CPB Contractors, in partnership with the innovative social impact PPE brand TradeMutt, launched an inspiring campaign aimed at bolstering mental health awareness across Australia’s construction sites. On 23 February 2024, the company’s workforce, spanning over 60 projects nationwide, donned vibrant workwear in a collective effort to shine a light on mental health and wellbeing.

From the bustling cities of Sydney and Melbourne to the remote locales of Port Hedland and McLaren Vale, CPB Contractors’ employees participated in a variety of activities, including barbeques and morning teas. These gatherings served as a powerful platform for encouraging conversations about mental health, a topic of critical importance in an industry touched by tragedy more often than many realise. With over 200 workers in the construction sector lost to suicide annually, the urgency of addressing mental health head-on has never been clearer.

The campaign, dubbed “Building Connections,” saw the introduction of a custom line of PPE workwear designed by TradeMutt. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to foster a supportive culture where workers feel empowered to speak up, check in with their mates, and offer support to one another. Given that the construction industry employs a significant portion of Australia’s youth, with 44 per cent of all workers aged between 15 and 44, the impact of such a campaign has the potential to be monumental.

Sarah O’Neill, CPB Contractors’ executive general manager of people and culture, emphasised the company’s dedication to ensuring that mental and emotional wellbeing is prioritised alongside physical safety. The launch of Australia’s Largest Funky Shirt Friday is a testament to this commitment, aiming to initiate conversations that could lead to a positive cultural shift within CPB Contractors and the wider construction industry.

TradeMutt, co-founded by Queensland mates Dan Allen and Ed Ross in 2018, stands at the forefront of this cultural shift. With workwear that carries the powerful message, “This Is A Conversation Starter,” the brand has been instrumental in breaking down barriers and supporting mental health. The launch of TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter) in 2020, a free mental health counselling service for the blue-collar workforce, further underscores the tangible support TradeMutt offers. To date, TIACS has provided over 17,800 hours of conversations, contributing significantly to the wellbeing of the industry’s workforce.

Australia’s Largest Funky Shirt Friday not only serves as a beacon of hope and solidarity but also as a reminder that help is always available. CPB Contractors and TradeMutt are leading the charge in creating a safer, more supportive environment for all workers, promoting mental health training and advocating for open conversations about mental wellbeing.

The campaign has already seen a wave of support across social media, with hundreds of posts celebrating the initiative and spreading the vital message that it’s okay to not be okay. As these funky shirts become a year-round symbol of support and awareness, the hope is that more individuals will feel comfortable reaching out for help, knowing that a simple conversation can be a lifeline.

In an industry often characterised by its toughness, CPB Contractors and TradeMutt are reminding us that strength also lies in vulnerability and the courage to speak up. Their efforts mark a significant step towards changing the narrative around mental health in the construction industry, ensuring that every worker knows they are not alone.