title: Contact & connect--an intervention to reduce depression stigma and symptoms in construction workers: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Males employed in the construction industry have high rates of suicide. Although reasons underpinning this risk are multifaceted, poor help-seeking and stigma are represent major contributors. Males in the construction industry are also exposed to other risk factors for mental ill health and suicide, including unemployment. Sigma-reducing interventions that are accessible and attractive to recently unemployed males in the construction industry could therefore improve help-seeking, and address depression and suicidal behaviour in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Contact&Connect will use a parallel individual randomized design to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimedia-based intervention aimed at reducing stigma. The intervention consists of a package of 12 brief contact interventions (BCIs) delivered over a six month period. BCIs will direct participants to informational programs and microsites. Content will address three major themes: debunking depression myths and stereotypes, normalisation, and empowerment. Target enrollment is 630 (315 in each arm), each to be followed for 12 months. Eligible participants will be males, between 30 and 64 years, unemployed at the time of recruitment, registered with Incolink (a social welfare trustee company for unemployed members of the construction industry), and own a smart phone with enabled internet connectivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At present, there are no programs that have been shown to be effective in reducing stigma in the blue-collar male population. Contact&Connect promises to provide a tailored, efficient, and scalable approach to reducing stigma, depressive symptoms and suicidality among unemployed males.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12615000792527 (date of registration: 30 July, 2015).
authors.affiliation: Population Health Strategic Research Centre, School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia. allison.milner@deakin.edu.au.|Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. allison.milner@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milner
authors.affiliation: Population Health Strategic Research Centre, School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Witt
authors.affiliation: Incolink, 1 Pelham Street, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Lewis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burnside
authors.affiliation: Incolink, 1 Pelham Street, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Caitlyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Population Health Strategic Research Centre, School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.|Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: LaMontagne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D060389:Construction Industry; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009520:New Zealand; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D057545:Social Stigma; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology*; D014937:Work; D000092864:Suicide Prevention