Building boldly for better minds

IN a powerful show of industry leadership, Australian home builders Metricon and Henley have joined forces to confront a crisis that’s costing lives: mental health in the construction industry.

Together, they are pledging $50,000 to TIACS, the country’s only free counselling service designed specifically for blue-collar workers.

The move aligns with growing national momentum for mental health awareness, including calls for a dedicated AFL Mental Health Round.

Both companies are standing in support of the AFL and the broader sporting community’s emerging focus on mental wellbeing.

Metricon chief executive officer Brad Duggan said there was no blueprint for mental health struggles, and too many people suffer in silence.

“We want to use our platform to show that checking in, speaking up, and seeking help are acts of strength, not weakness.

“This donation is the beginning, not the end, of a conversation we need to keep having.”

The construction industry is facing an unspoken crisis with workers more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to those in other professions.

Long hours, physically demanding roles, and a lingering “toughen up” culture have contributed to a silent epidemic of mental health challenges that too often go unaddressed.

Henley CEO Antony Blackshaw said this was about more than money, and was about men and women who’ve felt alone for too long.

“We’re showing them that the industry sees them, values them, and is ready to support them.”

Both CEOs agreed it was confronting to talk about suicide, but it was worse to pretend it was not happening.

Metricon and Henley share the initials MH, and they’re now turning that shared identity into a shared mission: Mental Health.

Across worksites and boardrooms alike, MH now represents a company-wide call to action to destigmatise mental health conversations and promote proactive support.

“From marketing meetings to construction sites, MH now stands for something bigger than us,” Mr Duggan said.

“It’s our call to action, because mental health is everyone’s business.”

All funds will be directed to TIACS. This Is A Conversation Starter, a purpose-driven, not-for-profit counselling service offering free, no-referral mental health support via phone and text.

TIACS is specifically tailored for tradespeople, transport workers, and others in blue-collar roles, providing professional help without barriers like waitlists, cost, or GP referrals.

TIACS chair Dan Allen said that we’re the only free service of our kind for tradies, truckies and blue-collar workers.

“Support from Henley and Metricon means more lives reached, more crises prevented, and more conversations that could save a life.”

Ed Ross, founding director of TIACS, said that this is what leadership looked like.

“Metricon and Henley are showing other businesses how to step up and back up their values with action.”