Mental Health in Construction
Awareness of mental health in construction has rapidly risen over the last few years, thanks to organisations such as Mates in Mind and the Construction Industry Lighthouse Charity.
Statistics gathered by the Health & Safety Executive paint an alarming picture:
2 suicides per day occur within the Construction Industry.
14 lives are lost each week.
730 deaths occur per year.
That is a shocking number, let alone the ripple effect of each of those deaths affecting family members, colleagues and friends.
Why has this problem become so huge? Or was it always there, and we just weren’t counting?
Out of the 1.8 million work-related ill-health cases in 2021/2022, half of these are attributed to stress, depression or anxiety – that equates to 17 million working days lost per year. This is a massive cost to the economy, but also highlights the scale of the problem.
Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being, and it is crucial to address mental health concerns in all industries, particularly construction. Construction is known for being a demanding and high-pressure environment, which can have a significant impact on the mental health of workers.
Several factors can contribute to mental health concerns in construction, including long working hours, physically demanding work, job insecurity, and financial instability. The nature of the work can also be stressful, with workers often facing tight deadlines, complex projects, and potentially dangerous conditions. In a male-dominated industry, often help is sought too late, or, sometimes, not at all.
Another factor for millions of self-employed tradespeople is that they are not eligible for any pay if they take time off for sickness, forcing many of them to struggle on through poor mental or physical health, when they really need to take some downtime. It’s not difficult to see how a seemingly minor issue can escalate into a major problem, combined with the stress of needing to pay bills and provide for their families.
It is essential for construction companies to prioritise the mental health of their workers by implementing measures that promote well-being and support. This includes providing access to mental health resources, such as counselling and therapy, and creating a supportive workplace culture that encourages workers to seek help when they need it.
Training programs can also be provided to equip workers with coping strategies and stress management techniques. Additionally, promoting a work-life balance can help workers feel more in control of their lives and reduce the risk of burnout.
The stigma around mental health is slowly reducing, whilst awareness around these issues is increasing. Checking in on each other can help more than people realise, just a friendly word from a colleague to let someone know that they are there to listen.
In summary, mental health is an important aspect of overall health and well-being, and it is crucial for the construction industry to address the mental health concerns of its workers to promote a healthy and productive workplace.