The economic cost of suicide and non-fatal suicide behaviour to the NZ construction industry

Suicidal behaviour is a critical public health issue with notably higher rates in New Zealand’s construction sector. In 2023, 80 construction workers died by suicide and 1,628 experienced self-harm incidents, leading to a significant economic impact estimated at $1.14 billion NZD. The MATES in Construction NZ (MATES) program has been shown to effectively improve worker attitudes and behaviours, potentially saving at least one life annually and generating a substantial return on investment of $4.42 to every $1 invested in MATES. This figure is conservative, as the considerable demand for MATES suggests it may save even more lives. Evidence based, well-resourced programs like MATES represent a valuable investment in reducing the economic burden of suicidal behaviour and enhancing workplace safety for NZ’s construction industry.