Building more than infrastructure

In a field where steel, grit, and resilience are daily tools of the trade, the Melchor team is proving that compassion and connection are just as essential. Their ongoing partnership with MATES in Construction continues to reshape what wellbeing looks like onsite, where checking in with each other becomes part of the job description. 

Empowering the workforce in Karratha 

Last month, at Monos’ Gap Ridge facility in Karratha, the Melchor team took a bold step toward mental health advocacy. Over two dedicated days, 22 new Connectors joined the team through Connector Training, further fortifying the company’s mental health safety net. This training equips workers to spot early warning signs of emotional distress and guide their peers toward help, laying the groundwork for a connected and supportive work culture. 

To amplify this effort, Josh Kosack and Helen Gwyn from MATES held a powerful Toolbox Meeting during pre-start, creating space for honest conversation about suicide prevention. It wasn’t just a meeting, it was a moment of recommitment to keeping mates safe, both physically and emotionally. 

ASIST training in Malaga 

Back at the MATES Headquarters in Malaga, Melchor employees took on the intensive Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). This two-day program delved into life-saving intervention techniques, helping workers confidently navigate high-stakes conversations and situations. With these graduates, Melchor expands its core group of employees trained to support those experiencing suicidal thoughts – turning frontline workers into frontline lifelines. 

"Mental health training gives us the tools to spot when someone’s struggling. But more than that, it reminds us that we are never alone,” Melchor People and Training Operations Coordinator, Mick Ablett said. 

“There’s always a mate willing to listen, and that could be the difference between silence and support." 

Why mental health training matters 

Statistics have shown that construction workers are more vulnerable to mental health challenges, and the silence around these issues can be as dangerous as any visible hazard. Breaking that silence begins with education, empathy, and connection. Trained staff play a crucial role in elevating mental health and suicide prevention awareness, encouraging open conversations, and cultivating a culture where seeking help is seen as a strength – not a weakness. 

Volunteer Connectors and ASIST-trained workers are equipped to recognise early signs of distress, offer compassionate support, and connect their peers with the professional help they need. Their presence on site transforms workplaces into safer, more supportive environments. 

Melchor’s dedication to these initiatives reflects a powerful truth: that true safety isn’t just about hard hats and harnesses – it’s about creating spaces where emotional wellbeing is protected too. Every trained Connector and ASIST graduate becomes a lifeline, making it a little easier for someone to speak up and say, “I need help.”