The impact of workplace bullying on mental health and suicidality in Queensland construction industry apprentices

It is well established that males working in the construction sector are in one of the highest occupational risk groups for suicide (Heller, Hawgood and De Leo, 2007; Milner, Spittal, Pirkis and LaMontagne, 2013; Roberts, Jaremin and Lloyd, 2013). Alarmingly, research also indicates that young Australian males working in the construction industry are at high risk of suicide and are twice as likely to take their own lives than other young Australian males (Heller et al., 2007). This study builds on previous qualitative focus group research on the needs of construction industry apprentices by the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) for Mates in Construction (MATES) [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 141.1055] which identified alleged bullying and poor treatment and supervision of Queensland apprentices (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, 2018). Workplace bullying is a major issue in Australia and is associated with adverse outcomes such as poor mental health and increased risk for suicidal ideation and behaviours (Holt et al., 2015; Leach, Poyser and Butterworth, 2017). The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of bullying in Queensland construction industry apprentices, as well as to obtain a snapshot of their mental health and well-being, their perceptions of supervision quality, suicide awareness and literacy, and exposure to, and experience of suicidal behaviours.