The Importance Of Prioritising Construction Workers Mental Health:

The Importance Of Prioritising Construction Workers Mental Health

Society is finally coming around to the realisation that mental health is important. Putting on a ‘stiff upper lip’ and suppressing mental distress does nobody any favours. This is as true of people in the construction sector as anywhere else. Welcome initiatives such as Mental Health Week have done a lot of good work showing how employers and their employees can take action for better mental health in the workplace, whether on-site or in the office.

Health And Safety: Physical And Mental

One of the most positive trends this century has been improved safety in the construction industry. Government and industry regulations, and collaborative work between businesses and professional groups, have made the sector a safer place for people to work in, with fewer injuries and long-term health risks.

However, construction health and safety still usually prioritises physical health, with mental health concerns being either ignored or relegated to second place. This is unfortunate, because construction employees often face significant mental health challenges due to the demanding nature of their work, and the traditional culture of the industry.

The Office of National Statistics recently released the number of suicides in construction for the year 2022, showing that construction related suicide increased by 11% from 2021 to 2022:

749 Constructions Workers took their own lives in England and Wales in just 1 year alone. This heartbreaking statistic means that 3 people in the construction industry took their own life every working day.

What are the trends that contribute to this mental health crisis in the sector and how can employers take action?

• High-pressure work environment: working in construction can be extremely stressful, involving long hours, tight deadlines and budgets, and physically demanding activities in all weathers. The pressure to meet project deadlines and avoid mistakes can contribute to anxiety and stress, taking a toll on workers’ well-being.

• Financial worries: Rising costs of materials and shortages of skilled labour, combined with economic uncertainty and slow-downs in construction, as a result of Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine, add to stress, impact profitability and increase financial risk.

• Isolated working: working in construction can be isolating, with some trades working in individual buildings or rooms on their own, only meeting with colleagues for short periods during the day.

• Physical injuries can lead to mental health issues: despite improvements in health and safety, construction professionals still face a heightened risk of physical injuries from accidents on site. In some cases, injuries can be severe and life changing, causing long-term pain or disability. These traumatic experiences can trigger depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as low self-esteem.

• Stigma surrounding mental health: unfortunately, there is still a ‘macho’ culture in some parts of the sector in which mental health struggles are viewed as a sign of weakness. It isn’t ‘manly’ to speak openly about emotions or show vulnerability – a stigma that often prevents people from seeking the help and support they need.

• Impact on safety and productivity: sidelining the mental well-being of construction workers can have serious consequences for site safety and productivity. Mental health conditions can decrease focus and concentration, for instance, increasing the risk of accidents and mistakes. Workers struggling with their mental health are also more likely to take time off sick or leave their jobs, disrupting project timelines and increasing costs.

Creating A Culture Of Support And Self-Care

Improving mental health in the construction industry is a responsibility of both employers and employees. Employers can begin by implementing policies that promote mental wellness, providing resources and training to help identify and address common mental health issues, and de-stigmatising seeking help.

Ensuring that your managers, supervisors and other staff gain Mental Health First Aid qualifications as well as those for physical First Aid, is vital – and could help improve and save lives.

Running alongside this is education about the importance of self-care, encouraging workers to prioritise their own mental health through self-care practices. This includes taking work breaks when needed, addressing physical health problems, and maintaining a healthy work life balance. It also involves people looking out for their friends and colleagues, learning to recognise the symptoms of mental distress, even when someone is trying to ‘cover it up’.

Help Is Out There

We are lucky, locally in Hampshire to benefit from the brilliant work done by ManGang UK and their “It’s not weak to speak” campaign.

You can also get advice and support from Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity dedicated to the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of construction workers and their families. As well as providing the Construction Industry Help line, their “Help Inside the Hard Hat” campaign aims to deliver the message that no construction worker or their family should be alone in a crisis.

Mates in Mind also aims to support mental health across the construction industry and related sectors and their website includes links to a number of other charities.

Find Out More

To find out about our mental health policy and how contractors can help tackle mental health issues in the construction industry, please click here to get in touch.

Image Source: Canva

Click on the categories below to find out more about:

• All Blog Articles from 2024
• Mental Health in Construction
• Working in the Construction Industry
• Health and Safety in Construction
• Toolbox Talks in Construction