ASSOCIATIONS 9
Leading the charge for mental health in the Trades
By Chris Coetzee, OHSS Consulting
Supplied by IOPSA FIT
To get in touch with the FIT Committee, please email fit @ iopsa. org or WhatsApp them on + 27( 0) 82 218 7454.
Long hours, physical strain and unpredictable work environments can take a toll on emotional wellbeing. For too long, these challenges have been met with silence, masked by a culture that prizes toughness over vulnerability.
It’ s time for change. Enter Friends in Trades( FIT), powered by the Institute of Plumbing South Africa( IOPSA). FIT is more than a campaign; it’ s a movement to create a culture where mental health is treated with the same urgency as physical safety. And at the heart of this movement is a new role: the FIT Friend.
What is a FIT Friend? A FIT Friend is not a therapist or a doctor. They are a colleague, a peer, a trusted first responder for mental health in the workplace. Think of them as the emotional equivalent of a first aider, someone trained to recognise distress, offer immediate support and guide individuals toward professional help when needed. The goal is simple: no one should struggle alone. FIT Friends will be equipped with practical skills to listen without judgment, provide reassurance and connect their peers to resources
Why FIT Friends matter Mental health challenges in the trades are real and pressing. Stress, anxiety and substance misuse often lurk beneath the surface, compounded by the stigma of‘ toughness’. Suicide rates among tradespeople remain alarmingly high compared to other work categories. These aren’ t just statistics, they represent lives, families and futures. By introducing FIT Friends into the workplace, we create a safety net. When someone feels overwhelmed, they’ ll know there’ s a person nearby who understands, who cares, and who can help them take the first step toward recovery.
The role of a FIT Friend A FIT Friend’ s responsibilities go beyond offering a sympathetic ear. They are trained to:
• Recognise warning signs of mental distress, changes in behavior, withdrawal, irritability or fatigue
• Start conversations that break stigma and encourage openness
• Provide immediate coping strategies for stress or cravings
• Connect individuals to professional help through FIT’ s network of resources and anonymous support channels
Training for FIT Friends The training programme focuses on practical, actionable skills:
• Active listening: Learning to hear beyond words and respond with empathy.
• Crisis response: Knowing what to do when someone expresses thoughts of self-harm.
• Resource navigation: Understanding where and how to refer individuals for professional help.
• Mindfulness techniques: Simple tools to help manage stress in the moment.
And this is where the Five Days of Mental Clarity comes in, a toolkit that FIT Friends can share with colleagues or practice themselves.
Five Days of Mental Clarity: A practical toolkit The Five Days of Mental Clarity is a structured, easy-to-follow plan that helps individuals regain focus, reduce stress and build resilience.
Day 1: The‘ why’ behind the calm Every journey begins with purpose. On Day 1, the goal is to define your anchor, the reason you’ re choosing calm and clarity today. It could be your health, your family, or simply peace of mind.
Morning practice: Sit quietly for two minutes. Focus on your breath and ask:‘ What is one thing I want to protect today?’ Write it down and keep it in your pocket. When stress hits, touch that note and remind yourself why you started.
Day 2: Urge surfing Cravings and stress are like waves: they rise, peak and eventually fade. Fighting them only makes the tide stronger. Instead, learn to ride the wave.
Morning visualisation: Picture yourself on a surfboard, gliding over a wave of emotion. You’ re not drowning, you’ re riding it. Action step: When an urge hits, set a timer for 10 minutes. Tell yourself,‘ I’ ll check back in when the timer goes off’. Most cravings lose their power by then.
Day 3: The S. T. O. P. technique Stress can hijack your brain. The S. T. O. P. technique is your pause button, a way to regain control before reacting. Practice the acronym:
• Stop what you’ re doing.
• Take a deep breath.
• Observe your body – are your fists clenched? Is your heart racing?
• Proceed with a choice that aligns with your Day 1 anchor.
Day 4: Self-compassion and forgiveness Shame is a heavy burden, and it often fuels destructive habits. Replace it with kindness. Treat yourself as you would a friend in need.
Morning reflection: Ask,‘ If my best friend were struggling, what would I say?’ Say those words to yourself. Action step: When a negative thought arises,‘ I’ m a failure’, follow it with:‘ That’ s a thought, not a fact’.
Day 5: Future mapping Visualise the life you want to build. See yourself six months from now, healthy, clear-headed and in control.
Morning visualisation: Close your eyes and imagine your future self. What does their day look like? Action Step: Choose one safe, positive activity today, walking, reading or a hobby, to replace an old habit. Every small step builds the future you envisioned.
Why this toolkit works The Five Days of Mental Clarity isn’ t about perfection, it’ s about progress. These practices teach resilience, self-awareness and emotional regulation. They’ re simple enough to fit into a tradesperson’ s busy schedule yet powerful enough to make a real difference.
The bigger picture: Building a culture of care FIT Friends and mindfulness tools are just the beginning. The ultimate goal is cultural change, a workplace where mental health is prioritised, conversations are open and support is always available. Just as we wear protective gear to prevent physical injuries, we need strategies to protect our minds.
How to get involved
• Become a FIT Friend: Sign up for training and be the first line of support in your workplace.
• Share the toolkit: Encourage colleagues to try the Five Days of Mental Clarity.
• Promote awareness: Display FIT materials, host Toolbox Talks and join social media challenges.
• Celebrate mental strength: Recognise resilience and advocacy within your team.
Together, we can build a future where tradespeople thrive, not just in their craft, but in their lives. PA
March 2026 Volume 32 I Number 01 www. plumbingafrica. co. za