Networks of safety: Enhancing social networks and changing social norms in a suicide prevention program for Australian construction workers

Abstract

Suicide is a significant global public health issue. The United Nations, and the World Health Organisation, have set a target to reduce suicide by one third as part of global sustainability targets. Suicide ideation and suicide behaviour are strongly associated with social disconnection. This social disconnection is most often seen from a perspective of the individual's inability or perception of social connection. This study extends that perspective to examine how social networks interact with the individual. The study used social network theory to understand how workers in the MATES in Construction suicide prevention program incorporated the program into their social networks and how this ..