Mental Health in Construction
The stigma surrounding mental health is starting to change, as more businesses across different industries are recognising the importance of providing appropriate support for staff.
We are constantly impressed and inspired by how progressive our customers are in their approach to inclusivity and awareness towards mental health.
However men in the construction industry are still three times more likely to commit suicide than the average UK male*1. Why is this the case?
A career in construction can be challenging and stressful for employees. Long hours, working outside in all weathers, especially now as cold dark days get shorter. Working away from home for long periods. These factors together with the typical ‘tough guy’ culture, which tends to be widespread throughout the industry and it is easy for mental health issues to take root and overwhelm those suffering.
The physical strain of the job can leave workers fatigued; injuries can cause job losses. This can lead to anxiety, stress and the development of depression.
Statistics show the number of completed homes almost hit 50,000 in the last quarter*2 – the highest number in over 20 years. That’s a lot of pressure on companies and employees to keep up with demand, especially with added strain of Covid and how this has affected jobs and finances in the last year.
Physical health is at the forefront of the industry’s efforts, with on-site safety being the best it’s ever been. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for mental health awareness and management. A fifth of all ill-health cases in the sector stem from mental health issues, resulting in around 400,000 working days lost every year.*3 Shockingly, data from the Office for National Statistics found that just over 13% of the recorded 13,232 suicides (by occupation) between 2011 and 2015 were those in skilled construction and building trades, despite the construction industry accounting for only seven per cent of the UK workforce.
The construction industry is essential to the UK economy contributing around £113bn a year according to government statistics. It is therefore vitally important that mental health is drastically improved among workers.
What can be done?
Building Mental Health is a group of volunteers from the construction industry who pull together thinking and information around mental health. They suggest 5 key steps to building a supportive culture around mental health in construction:
Make, and show, your commitment by signing the Building Mental Health Charter.
Make sure your staff know about your employee assistance programme and the Construction Industry Helpline, available by phone or via their mobile app.
Start the conversation! Raise awareness about mental health, teach people to recognise signs that colleagues might need some support, and get conversations started.
Train your line managers and supervisors in what to do when somebody mentions a mental health issue;
Train around one in 100 employees or subcontractors as a certified mental health first aider.
SiteDefender is committed to raising the awareness of Mental Health issues within the construction industry. We are proud to have signed the Building Mental Health Charter.
The resources below have been specially selected to support these steps. Or, if you’re just starting out, they’ll give you a great introduction and some ways to make small changes straight away.
https://www.buildingmentalhealth.net/sign-our-charter.html
https://www.constructionindustryhelpline.com
https://www.buildingmentalhealth.net/mental-health-first-aid-training.html
*1 Men, Management, and Mental Health
Harry Levinson, Charlton R. Price, Kenneth J. Munden, Harold J. Mandl and Charles M. Solley
*3 https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/construction