Stay well this autumn – and wear pink on 15 May to show your support for building a bully-free industry.
“It is a good time to reset and focus on what matters,” says LiveWell BuildWell’s Raf Caso, as autumn takes hold and Pink Shirt Day arrives this month. “Across sites we are seeing tradies show up, rain or shine, support each other, and take pride in their work. That is something to feel good about.”
Raf reminds us of the importance of mental fitness during the darker months of the year, and says consistency is key. “Take a moment each day to set yourself up for success,” he says, with some of the following tips.
- Wake up a little earlier.
- Prepare a healthy lunch.
- Lock in activities that keep you balanced and rested.
- Have conversations with tradies around you.
- Spend quality time with friends and family each day.
- Stay focused on what matters most - your health and mental fitness are the most valuable things you possess, protect them.
In 2026, LiveWell BuildWell will be expanding its learning tools, strengthening its partnerships, and reaching even more tradies across the country, he says.
In the pink
Raf’s also keen to shout about getting behind this month’s Pink Shirt Day, organised by LiveWell BuildWell’s parent organisation, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. This year, Friday 15 May is the annual reminder of the power of coming together to prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination in New Zealand.
Official Pink Shirt Day tshirts are being sold in Cotton On stores this month, with 100% of net profits support the Mental Health Foundation’s efforts to eliminate bullying by creating a kinder, more inclusive country.
Wellbeing winners
LiveWell BuildWell is also celebrating this month after the organisation took out the latest 2026 SiteSafe Mental Health and Wellbeing Award (sponsored by MATES in Construction).
“This recognition belongs just as much to the tradie community as it does to us,” Raf says. “Every conversation on site, every video interview about how to navigate challenging times, every small step toward better habits has helped build something real and meaningful.
“To the tradies on the tools, our champions backing the message, and the partners who believed in this from early on, thank you. You’ve proven that mental fitness isn’t just talk. It’s something that can be lived out daily on site and at home.
“Right now, there’s no denying the pressure many are feeling. Global uncertainty, including tensions in the Middle East, and the ongoing rise in fuel and living costs are adding weight to an already demanding industry. This is exactly when mental fitness matters most.
“The challenge we’re putting out is simple. Invest time each day in yourself. Build stronger self-awareness. Reset each day with quality rest. Contact your mates. Small, consistent actions done daily will always outperform big intentions left undone.
“We’re proud of what’s been achieved together and even more focused on what comes next. Let’s keep building well.”
Other recent activity for the mental health advocates included supporting The Women in Trades free event in Rotorua in March. Designed for women aged 16-plus, it featured "Give it a Go" trade skills zones, networking with employers, and career pathways in construction, forestry and more.
For more information, see:
