MATES Research

Backed by Evidence

We’re Research Driven.

Research is central to the MATES model because our work must be evidence-informed, accountable, and continually improving.

The North America Pilot is being independently evaluated to help us understand how the adapted model works in real construction environments, what is most effective for workers and sites, and what needs to be refined before broader rollout. Research also helps us protect the integrity of the MATES approach by identifying which parts of the model must remain consistent, while allowing thoughtful adaptation for different regions, workforces, cultures, and support systems. By grounding the pilot in evidence, worker feedback, program data, and industry insight, MATES can build a stronger case for long-term impact and ensure the program grows responsibly across North America.

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30%

of workers reported feeling anxious at least monthly

~10

Americans go to the emergency department for a suicide attempt for every 1 suicide death

85%

of American construction workers aren't seeking help when having mental health challenges

OUR EVALUATION APPROACH

The MATES North America Pilot is being independently evaluated to help us understand how the adapted model works in real construction environments, what is most effective for workers and sites, and what needs to be refined before broader rollout. The evaluation is designed to be practical, ethical, and decision-useful, combining program data, worker and site feedback, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and implementation learning across the pilot year.

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01.

INDEPENDENT EVALUATION

The MATES North America Pilot is being evaluated by A-G Associates through a comprehensive mixed-methods approach. The evaluation runs alongside the pilot delivery period and is designed to generate credible evidence about implementation quality, early outcomes, site readiness, and future scalability. This helps ensure that decisions about broader rollout are informed by evidence, not assumption.

A-G Associates

02.

FOCUSED ON WHAT WORKS IN CONSTRUCTION REALITY

The evaluation is focused on how MATES operates inside active construction environments. It will examine curriculum delivery, participant engagement, skill use and behavior activation, and scalability. This means looking beyond whether training occurred to understand whether the model is relevant, accessible, culturally appropriate, and able to support real-world help-seeking and help-offering.

03.

GROUNDED IN IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE

The evaluation draws on established frameworks including the Bowen Feasibility Framework, Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model, CFIR, RE-AIM, and ADKAR. Together, these frameworks help assess feasibility, acceptability, implementation quality, participant learning, behavior change, readiness, adoption, and sustainability. This supports a disciplined approach to understanding both program impact and the practical conditions required for scale.

04.

LISTENING TO WORKERS, SITES & LEADERS

The evaluation will use several data sources, including pre- and post-surveys, baseline and follow-up needs assessments, interviews, focus groups, site leadership input, and de-identified program data. Materials will be available in English and Spanish, with additional languages considered based on site demographics. This helps ensure the evaluation reflects the diversity, experience, and practical realities of the workforce.

05.

USING RAPID LEARNING TO STRENGTHEN DELIVERY

Evaluation is not only something that happens at the end of the pilot. Monthly rapid feedback briefs, regular check-ins, and quarterly review meetings will help MATES identify emerging lessons during implementation. This allows the program to respond to site conditions, strengthen quality, and capture what is being learned as the pilot progresses.

06.

BUILDING EVIDENCE FOR RESPONSIBLE SCALE

At the end of the pilot, the evaluation will produce a final report, accompanying presentation, executive brief, and program-scaling logic model. These outputs will help MATES, partners, funders, and industry stakeholders understand what was learned, what should be refined, and what is required to grow the model responsibly across North America.

Evidence-Informed Impact

MATES North America is underpinned by nearly 20 years of peer-reviewed literature and the rigorous application of implementation science. By prioritizing data-driven insights and real-time evaluation, we are building a sustainable network of safety that contributes to the global evidence base for workplace suicide prevention.