Sky Tower to fly white flags for mental health

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

Three white flags will fly from the very top of the Sky Tower this week, to raise awareness about mental health in the construction industry.

SkyCity spokesperson Arron Money said the construction industry has one of the highest rates of suicide in the commercial sector in New Zealand.

“Flying the flags from the top of the Sky Tower is our way of acknowledging the problem and empowering the industry to do something about it. The flags are a visual reminder for workers to stop and have the courage to ask a mate if they are alright,” he said.

Fly the Flag is a campaign created by Mates in Construction - an organisation established to combat the high rate of suicide among construction workers in New Zealand.

As a mark of respect for the families who have lost loved ones to suicide, the Sky Tower will also be lit as large ribbon with colours of orange and gold on September 10 to support World Suicide Prevention Day.