Young female tradie exposes the grim reality of her high-paying job

By PRANAV HARISH, NEWS REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

A young female tradie has revealed that highly paid construction workers often struggle with their mental health because of drinking, taking drugs and gambling.

Bardie Somerville, who works as a carpenter, uploaded a video to Tiktok last Friday to expose the sad reality that many of her colleagues face every day.

'When I was an apprentice, I worked with this bloke and I'm not kidding you he was just always going through it' she said.  

'Every Wednesday he'd lose half his kit of tools because he'd go down and pawn them at the pawn shop to get him through the week'.

She said many tradies don't know how to get out of their bad habits or don't have the support they need to help them. 

'I look back then and I can really see how I just continued to normalise being in a really f****** bad place and thinking that was normal,' Ms Somerville said.

@bardiesomerville

♬ original sound - Bardie

Concerning figures by charity MATES found that a construction worker dies every second day from suicide. 

Construction workers are also eight times more likely to die from suicide than from an accident in the workplace. 

Ms Somvervile said more work needs to be done to help tradies, who are struggling with their mental health. 

'Just because you are in a tough spot doesn't mean you need to stay there,' she said. 

Figures by construction services website Service Seeking revealed nine per cent of Aussie tradies make more than $200,000 a year. 

Tradies can earn an annual salary of $64,315 for working in entry level positions according to employment agency talent.com. 

The challenges workers in the construction sector face with their mental health has also been compounded by the current skills shortage across the industry. 

A survey by Aussie work boots manufacturer Steel Blue revealed 54 per cent of respondents said the skills shortage has had a negative impact on their mental health.

Despite the grim findings Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said tradies are seeking out help by speaking to their friends, family or GP. 

Bardie Somerville, who works as a carpenter, uploaded a video to Tiktok last Friday to expose the sad reality that many of her colleagues face every day

Bardie Somerville, who works as a carpenter, uploaded a video to Tiktok last Friday to expose the sad reality that many of her colleagues face every day 

'More people are seeking support for mental health since the survey started in 2022 and over 60 per cent of respondents said they knew how to protect their mental health in times of stress,' Ms 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.'

Australia needs 90,000 construction workers to help build 60,000 new homes across the country every quarter. 

The move is part of the government's ambitious housing goal of building 1.2million new homes in Australia over the next five years.

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