Rafael Caso

Rafael Caso, program lead for Live Well Build Well, joins Andy to discuss a strength-based approach to mental health in construction. Funded by ACC and the Mental Health Foundation, the program reframes the conversation from mental illness to mental fitness, using a physical fitness analogy where you build routines, introduce 1% improvements, and develop confidence to face difficulties. Crucially, the program is tradie-led rather than expert-driven: tradies share practical strategies with each other through free toolbox talks on Auckland construction sites. Rafael explains how the program complements crisis messaging with proactive prevention, and Andy opens up about his own mental health journey. Professor Grant Schofield monitors and guides the program behind the scenes.

Key Topics Discussed

• Mental fitness vs mental illness. Strength-based approach, not crisis-focused. Complements crisis messaging (suicide awareness) with proactive prevention. You don't wake up strong, you work at it.
• Physical fitness analogy. Same as going to the gym: build routines, introduce 1% improvements, become mentally fit over time. Not about avoiding stress, but having confidence and courage to face difficulties and bounce back faster.
• Tradie-led program. Not experts telling tradies what to do. Tradies share their own practical ideas with each other through social learning. First talk introduces the mental fitness concept, then groups tradies to discuss practical strategies.
• Practical tradie strategies. Examples include sitting in the car for 30 minutes in the driveway listening to music before going inside, as a way to switch off at the end of the day.
• Free toolbox talks. Program delivers free toolbox talks on Auckland-based construction sites. Funded by ACC and the Mental Health Foundation.
• Professor Grant Schofield. Behind the program, monitoring and guiding its development and outcomes.
• Industry stress context. 9 out of 10 construction projects are in delay, creating persistently high stress levels across the workforce.
• Andy's mental health journey. Andy opens up again about his personal mental health experiences.

Notable Quotes

• Rafael on mental fitness: you don't wake up strong, you work at it. Same with mental fitness, build routines, introduce 1% improvements.
• Rafael on the approach: not about avoiding stress, but having confidence and courage to face difficulties and bounce back faster.
• Rafael on tradie ownership: not experts telling tradies what to do, but tradies sharing their own practical ideas with each other.
• On industry stress: 9 out of 10 construction projects are in delay.

Guest Background

Rafael Caso is the program lead for Live Well Build Well, a mental health program funded by ACC and the Mental Health Foundation. He has a background in media, business development, and health and safety in construction. The program delivers free tradie-led toolbox talks on Auckland construction sites with a focus on mental fitness rather than mental illness.