Men’s Health Week - Mental Health in Trade Industry

This week is Men’s Health Week (12^th to 18^th June) so we thought it was a great opportunity to draw attention to the mental health and physical health support available for all people working in the construction industry in the UK.

Mental Health in Trades & Construction

Did you know that depression and anxiety are now more common in the industry than musculoskeletal disorders such as muscle strains and Carpal Tunnel syndrome? Even more terrifying is that suicide is a bigger killer of construction workers than falls .

Essential Site Skills report that TWO members of the construction industry take their own lives every day in the UK. Since it’s Men’s Health Week, let’s flag that male construction workers are 3 TIMES more likely to commit suicide than the average man in the UK.

Why are these numbers so big? The nature of trade and construction work means that every day comes with its own selection of pressures from long hours to tight budgets, and now the rising cost of supplies at work and living at home are making everything even more difficult.

However, these pressures are not unique to the industry, but what is unique is the attitude towards mental health. Over 90% of men who talked openly about their mental health to other workers received discrimination as a result according to Mates in Mind. Opening up about your feelings and struggles is more likely to be met with ridicule than in any other industry and that is what needs to change.

"We have to educate everyone in our industry to recognise the signs and symptoms of our colleagues that are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression and start the conversation to assist in their recovery.”Building Mental Health [emphasis added]

How You Can Help, and Where To Get Help

Whether you are looking for help for yourself or your team, there are lots of free resources out there. Even the simple act of telling others that this help exists could save a life, so share these and tell us any you think we should add.

• -The Lighthouse Club is a UK charity providing support to construction workers dealing with mental health, and other health issues.
• -Mates in Mind is a leading UK charity raising awareness and addressing the stigma of poor mental health. We promote the development of positive mental well-being within the workplace. Mates in Mind works across industries, focusing on construction, as well as related sectors including transport, logistics, manufacturing, and others.
• -Building Mental Health (BMH) was created with contributions from contractors, specialist sub-contractors, designers, trade associations, and trade unions to provide a framework to help the construction sector to access mental health support.
• -Men’s Health Week runs in June every year and provides free support & resources to help you improve your physical and mental health.