Incolink, in collaboration with The Shannon Company, has launched a new mental health campaign for construction workers, titled 'Drop The Act'. The campaign seeks to normalise discussions about mental health among construction workers and encourage them to seek help when needed. The initiative is based on the insight that the construction worker culture is predominantly about men who are tough, stoic, and typically do not share feelings of anxiety and depression with their co-workers.

'Drop The Act' presents audiences with a range of humorous scenarios depicting workers acting tough to hide their feelings. The campaign is being promoted through Incolink’s social media and provided to their partner organisations – CFMEU, PPTEU, Master Builders and Master Plumbers’ – to share through their channels.

Incolink CEO Erik Locke said, "Those in the construction industry are over 50 per cent more likely to take their own lives than people from other industries. This could be due to a number of factors including workload stresses, worn out after years of physical toil on the job, financial pressures, substance abuse, relationship breakdowns, and more."

David Dumas, Group Business Director at The Shannon Company, added, "Drop The Act aims to inspire those suffering and peers to work together to connect suffering workmates with the brilliant help that is available through Incolink."

This campaign follows Incolink's 2019 suicide prevention campaign, 'Tell Yourself What You’d Tell A Mate'. Incolink members experiencing difficulties can contact the Incolink counselling line or, in a crisis, call Lifeline or emergency services. Incolink provides a safety net for workers in the commercial building and construction industry, offering redundancy payments, portable sick leave, income protection insurance and industry-best training. Incolink also funds health and wellbeing supports like counselling and mental health services. Incolink is Australia’s largest provider of severance benefits and income protection.