IMAGE: Wellness in infrastructure
Wellness in Infrastructure is looking to better support mental health across the sector.
In 2018 a group of senior business leaders who wanted to collectively address the mental health and wellbeing challenges being encountered by professionals in the infrastructure construction industry developed the Wellness in Infrastructure (WII) initiative.
Professor Luke Downey from Swinburne University inspired the initiative with a study he conducted. This study incorporated feedback and insights from those in the sector and revealed that nearly half of the 683 infrastructure industry respondents suffered from burnout, while 85 per cent reported moderate to high levels of stress.
Various Tier One and Tier Two infrastructure construction companies formed WII through the collaboration of volunteers from each organisation, along with those from Victorian Government authorities and industry associations.
From its onset, the initiative aimed to address the prevalent issue of poor mental health among infrastructure industry staff and the known industry factors contributing to adverse mental health impacts for the betterment of the industry.
In its early years, WII was led by a steering committee comprised of senior business leaders within the industry. This committee was supported by a working group of industry participants who were passionate about uniting and exchanging ideas on best practices.
The steering committee worked towards driving high-level change in infrastructure construction companies as a collective.
Growing to support industry
Since its formation, WII has achieved several milestones in its drive to improve mental health and wellness in the infrastructure construction industry.
WII conducted an Industry Survey and Report – at the time it was the largest mental health and wellness survey in the construction sector – highlighting what it labelled the unsustainable levels of compromised health and wellness from the respondents. The report surveyed a cross-section of more than 100 employees from participating companies who were also involved in engagement workshops and assisted in identifying the factual causes of the current state of mental health in the industry.
Another key milestone was the establishment of the Integrated Approach to Wellness Program. This work demonstrated what is possible when taking a preventative approach to mental health and wellbeing. This program has continued to be implemented across several projects and programs of work after its successful piloting on the Mordialloc Freeway Project.
The Program was well supported by WorkSafe WorkWell Mental Health Improvement Fund. The integrated approach was also an award finalist at the 2024 Civil Construction Industry People and Training Awards.
A key pillar of success for WII was the establishment of the WII mentoring program. It provided a platform for passionate industry mentors and mentees to enhance their skills, contributing to the transformation of the industry and improving the management of mental health issues in the present and future.
WII, in collaboration with Professor Downey, undertook a five-year follow-up in late 2023, which resulted in more than 1411 survey responses from the industry. The results reveal that workers in the infrastructure industry remain at some of the highest risk in society for burnout, declining mental health, stress, and dissatisfaction with work-life balance despite several improvements in the results of the last survey conducted in 2018.
What is next?
The infrastructure and construction industry continues to face challenges in terms of the mental health and wellbeing of its professionals.
WII believes these challenges are having a negative impact on the industry’s productivity, diversity, and overall attractiveness. Therefore, it is crucial to address the physical and psychological risks that industry professionals encounter and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
WII provides verified interventions, support, and resources to safer, healthier work environments that benefit employees and employers alike.
WII has a track record of developing and providing effective programs and tools that have been validated to improve mental health, wellbeing, and productivity.
The success of these interventions can be attributed to them being developed by industry professionals, or in direct consultation with them.
WII has demonstrated a commitment to improving the industry, and its interventions have proven effective in improving mental health and business outcomes.
Today, WII is formally established as a not-for-profit, health- promoting charitable organisation and comprises a board of experienced individuals and more than 40 volunteers from across the industry. All are working towards a single goal, which is to achieve world-class mental health and wellness within the industry across Australia.
WII has reached a definitive point in its storied journey, and to continue with the initiative, it requires funding and support from the industry to continue to deliver on the mission successfully.
Upfront contributions to WII will help to employ key personnel to promote, administer, and expand the organisation as well as develop mental health framework tools and interventions designed specifically for the infrastructure/construction industry and to share best practice initiatives from across the industry.
WII, along with its partners and supporters from across the sector, is aiming to create an industry that is more productive, rewarding, and sustainable for professionals of today and tomorrow. This is a direct investment into a brighter future for the industry.
To donate visit the organisation on LinkedIn.
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