Skills shortage impacting on trade workers' mental health

A national skills shortage is now having an impact on the mental health of trade workers in Australia, a new survey shows.

According to the 2024 Boot the Blues campaign survey — conducted by Steel Blue, Beyond Blue and the Australian Physiotherapy Association — more than half (54%) of respondents felt the current skills shortage was having a negative impact on their mental health.

“Recent reports state Australia faces the impossible task of finding an extra 90,000 tradespeople in the next three months. The labour shortage puts undue pressure on the existing workforce,” said Peter Bell, Steel Blue’s Chief Executive.

A fifth of respondents also reported they wouldn’t tell anyone if they had depression and 45% said poor mental health has had a negative impact on their relationships.

“The survey revealed 60% of people who saw a decline in their mental health also experienced a knock-on effect to their physical health,” Bell said.

“For those working in trades, resources and agriculture who rely on being strong and physically fit, this negative cycle between mental and physical wellbeing can have lasting impacts on their relationships and financial stability.”

Beyond Blue’s CEO Georgie Harman said while more needs to be done to combat stigma surrounding depression and anxiety in the trades sector, the good news is tradies are increasingly turning to family, friends and their GPs for support.

“More people are seeking support for mental health since the survey started in 2022. And over 60% of respondents said they knew how to protect their mental health in times of stress,” Harman said.

“We must change the narrative around depression and other mental health conditions. Taking action, getting support, talking with friends or family takes strength and courage and is such an important step to take to get better.”

The Australian Physiotherapy Association Tradies National Health Month survey also found more than nine in 10 tradies reported experiencing injuries and pain in the past year, with 90% of these injuries caused or worsened by work.

“The majority of tradies surveyed reported that pain affects their quality of life, with 42% describing their pain as severe. One in four tradies fear they will need to retire early due to the repetitive stress on their bodies,” said Zac Lowth, Chair of the Occupational Health National Group.

Image credit: iStock.com/skynesher