MATES in Manufacturing: A workplace suicide prevention program cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) for employees in the manufacturing industry

MATES in Manufacturing is an adaptation of the MATES in Construction workplace suicide prevention program. A detailed program logic is available at https://mates.org.au/programlogic. In brief, MATES is an industry-based community development approach to mental health and suicide prevention. MATES does not provide clinical services but seeks to connect distressed workers to help. A one-hour universal General Awareness Training (GAT) is provided for all workers on a site. Volunteers are recruited during the GAT, and subsequently trained as 'Connectors'--the persons on site who can ‘connect’ workers in need to appropriate sources of help. Workers potentially in need of help can either approach a Connector him- or herself, or Connector might approach someone based on concerns expressed by a workmate. ‘Help’ in this context is for mental health or suicidality, and for financial, gambling, relationship, and other issues that could affect mental health. Volunteers are the key to the fabric of the MATES program, by design aiming for an average of 1/20 workers on-site trained as Connectors. Implementation of GAT training on site is the starting point of the intervention. For those sites randomly assigned to intervention, the intervention will occur for 12 months during the study period, and then will continue beyond then at the discretion of the participating sites. Similarly, for sites randomly assigned to wait-list control, the intervention will begin 6 months from the date of initiation at intervention sites, and continue beyond the study period at the discretion of the participating sites. The MATES program also includes Field Officers, who are employed directly by MATES to provide ongoing support to MATES sites through fortnightly site visits, establishing and maintaining relationships with workers on-site, and supporting Connectors in their role. In addition, MATES employs Case managers, who are qualified to assist troubled workers with a plan to effectively address their problems and concerns. This could include connecting workers with such services as their EAP, financial counselling, mental health services, drug and alcohol services, grief counselling, or family and relationship counselling MATES also has a national toll-free help line. The MATES in Manufacturing intervention will be delivered by the MATES in Construction organisation (https://mates.org.au/). Further details on the three levels of training include: • General Awareness Training (GAT) – a one-hour suicide literacy program delivered face-to-face on site. Includes information on suicide rates, possible contributing causes, and actions that can be taken to prevent suicide. Main take-away message to workers is—if you or a mate need help, talk to a Connector, and they’ll connect you or your mate to the help they need. Participants are given a white ‘MATES Inducted’ sticker to wear on their hard hat identifying them as ‘GAT-trained’. For a site to be designated ‘MATES compliant’, a minimum 80% training level must be maintained even with staff turnover. • Connector Training – a four-hour gatekeeper program including Livingworks’ SafeTALK, delivered by LivingWorks-trained MATES staff (https://www.livingworks.com.au/). Connectors wear a green ‘MATES Connector’ sticker on their hard hats for easy identification. • ASIST Worker Training – a 16-hour LivingWorks’ suicide intervention training program, delivered by LivingWorks-trained MATES staff. ASIST-workers wear a blue ‘MATES ASIST’ ’ sticker on their hard hats for easy identification.