With suicide so prevalent across the construction industry, what can we do to prevent it? Sarah Meek, managing director of charity Mates in Mind, discusses the importance of focusing on prevention rather than crisis management and how we can start those crucial conversations around mental health in construction
With International Stress Awareness Week (30 October-3 November) and Men’s Health Awareness Month (November) imminent, it is a poignant time to stop and consider mental health – and to remember that the devastating number of suicides across the construction industry can be prevented.
By working together, we can eradicate the stigma and barriers around mental health in the workplace and, vitally, we can start the important conversations and save lives.
Why is it important to start the conversation about mental health in construction?
Research demonstrates the shocking rates of mental ill-health across the construction sector, including associated trades and businesses:
- A third of construction workers live with severe levels of anxiety.
- In 2021, there were 6,319 suicides registered in the UK, of which 507 were in construction alone, where the rate is nearly four times higher than in other sectors.
- Four in five suicides are by men, with suicide being the biggest cause of death for men under 35.
However, these statistics do not reveal the true human cost of mental ill-health. The video in this article is Chris’s heartbreaking story, told by his family and friends. Chris worked in construction for 30 years. In 2019, he sadly took his own life:
Recent research found that over half of UK employees do not feel comfortable disclosing mental health or psychological conditions to their employer, and 39% of respondents felt they would be judged negatively if they opened up about their mental health.
This is why it is time we address mental health together; removing the stigma that surrounds it and the barriers to starting an early conversation before someone reaches a point of crisis.
What is causing this situation?
As an Office of National Statistic report says: “Attempting to explain suicide is complex as it is likely that a number of factors act together to increase risk, including some job-related features.”
Contributory risks include the impact that work has on family life, worries about being hurt or injured at work, high economic insecurity, low support, high workloads, and long or irregular working hours all of which can have negative effects on mental health.
Mental ill-health can also be exasperating for those who are self-employed or sole traders as they do not often have access to the same kind of mental health and other support services provided by some organisations.
Mental Health Champion
Mates in Mind is a charity that campaigns to raise awareness of mental health and advocates for a prevention strategy, with recognition of this published in the government’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
During a visit to a construction site in West London in September, Prince William met with Mates in Mind, Mace, and representatives from across the construction industry, including an SME Mates in Mind supporter.
They discussed the issues facing those working at all levels in the industry, the prevalence of suicide and highlight the crucial need to focus on prevention, rather than crisis management, when it comes to a holistic mental health model.
Prince William has been committed to supporting men’s mental health and suicide prevention for many years. Through his work, His Royal Highness has aimed to highlight and champion the importance of tackling this vital issue.
How to start the conversation
We know that many organisations have started to address mental health across their workplaces; however, there is still too much variation, leading to inconsistency, where supply chain inclusion is often overlooked, which is why we need to act differently. Working together, we can make the difference to stop people from becoming mentally unwell through their work.
This is why, at Mates in Mind, we advocate for:
- A proactive prevention strategy: Empowering employers and employees with the guidance, skills, resources and confidence to change their workplace culture and both identify and address contributory risks.
- A holistic strategy: Rather than focusing on a tick-box approach to mental health or prioritising crisis support at the point of need, we educate, train and support employers and their employees across the whole workforce to ensure there is a continuous and comprehensive solution in place so that no one reaches crisis point and mental health awareness becomes everyone’s issue. We need to ensure every conversation counts.
- Removing the stigma: Too many people are wary or afraid to talk about mental health at work. An open and supportive workplace culture with proactive steps to support people early can overcome that.
If you would like to find out more about how to start the conversation within your organisation, there are free resources available on our website.
Mates in Mind is here to provide support, starting with an assessment, which results in recommendations that help you to achieve your organisational vision and support the best approach to mental health in your workplace.
Where to find support
Our aim is to ensure that no one reaches crisis point; however, we recognise that people might not always feel comfortable starting a conversation when they are ready.
If you, or someone you know, needs help or support, you can speak to one of the many free, confidential support services listed on our website, which includes our free to use 24/7 anonymous text service – text Beamate to 85258.
Remember, you are not alone, there is always someone to talk to.
Sarah Meek
Managing director
Mates in Mind
Tel: +44 (0)20 3510 5018
Critical initiative! Opening up the dialogue on mental health in the construction industry is vital for fostering a supportive and healthy work environment. Thanks for starting this important conversation