Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support

1 Let’s talk
2 Why is mental health more important now than ever?
3 Why are mental health matters so important in the construction industry?
4 Mental health and machismo
5 What support is available for people in the construction industry?
6 How the construction sector benefits from implementing mental health support
7 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Let’s talk

In England, more than one in seven people say their mental health is either bad, or the worst it has ever been. Brits have faced a range of challenges in recent years, with inflation and the cost-of-living crisis continuing to affect mental health. In an attempt to combat this, movements like MIND have encouraged more open attitudes towards mental health in public and in the workplace, making it easier for people to discuss their problems.

This process has been undeniably helpful in legitimising the concerns of those suffering with their mental health. However, there is still a long way to go, particularly in male-dominated fields such as the construction sector. Employers’ past failures to provide adequate mental health support, coupled with a continuing culture of machismo, means that the construction sector has historically lagged when it comes to addressing mental health issues. But in recent years, a growing number of construction companies have begun to adopt mental health policies. Employers are beginning to foster a more open, conversational culture and are training Mental Health First Aiders to provide additional support. At commercial painting specialist Bagnalls, we have made great strides in embracing mental health support across the business.

[edit] Why is mental health more important now than ever?

Mental health is a huge concern across the UK; the number of people accessing NHS mental health services has increased by more than one million in the last five years. Since 2020, Brits have been forced to deal with successive COVID-19 lockdowns, followed by rising energy bills, a rocketing cost-of-living and a recession. Research from the ONS shows that rates of depression are higher amongst those who are struggling to afford housing costs or energy bills. Rates are also higher amongst renters than homeowners, indicating a clear link between financial security and declining mental health.

[edit] Why are mental health matters so important in the construction industry?

The construction sector is affected by the same national issues impacting the UK’s wider mental health, but also faces several sector-specific challenges that are exacerbating the crisis. An HSE report from October 2023 points to five underlying causes of mental health issues within the construction sector: high stress working environments, physical strain, job insecurity, long hours and stigmatisation. Wider economic issues are piling further pressure on some of these causes. Tightening budgets are making project deadlines more rigid than ever, while workers feeling the squeeze on their personal finances are more likely to take on excessive overtime. Job insecurity has long been an issue in the construction sector, with many of the sector’s workers employed on a project-by-project basis. National financial instability means construction jobs feel less secure than ever, compounding the issue.

[edit] Mental health and machismo

The nature of the construction sector plays a key part in HSE’s fifth factor affecting mental health: stigmatisation. UK-based charity Mates in Mind found that over two thirds of construction workers believe there is a stigma surrounding mental health that prevents them from talking about their issues. Given that construction is a largely male-dominated sector, with 82 percent of all UK construction workers identifying as male, it is hugely important we break down these barriers to communication.

With machoism still sadly enduring in the sector, there is little surprise that suicide rates are higher amongst men in this industry. Construction is one of the UK’s highest- risk industries for suicide, with suicide rates 3.7 times higher than the national average. Of those, four in five are men.

Modern companies must make an effort to change this culture. Employers should provide proper outlets for mental health discussions and foster an environment in which employees feel empowered to speak up.

[edit] What support is available for people in the construction industry?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England exists to provide support to workplaces in a vast array of industries through adapted training and new resources. Striving to train one in ten people in mental health awareness and skills, the organisation’s aim is to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and cultivate a culture in which speaking freely about your mental health is accepted. Through the Mental Health First Aider course, members of a company or organisation can learn how to better listen and reassure and respond to people dealing with mental health struggles. In the male-dominated construction sector, where speaking freely about mental health can be an obstacle, it is more important than ever that colleagues are attuned to their peers’ feelings. If an employee is still finding it difficult to talk openly about their mental health, Wellness Action Plans, like those from Mind, can be a helpful alternative. These plans can also help employers understand their staff’s needs and concerns, particularly if traditional verbal conversations feel impossible.

There are many ways in which companies in the construction sector can foster a more open culture. At Bagnalls we offer an Employee Assistance Programme, which is available to access all day, every day. We are also expanding the number of Mental Health First Aiders in the company, making it easier for members of the team to get access to the proper support. Bagnalls has a good relationship with Andy’s Man Club, a men’s suicide prevention charity that offers free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. This has helped the company make the necessary changes to increase openness in the workplace.

[edit] How the construction sector benefits from implementing mental health support

Stress, anxiety and depression account for one fifth of all work-related illnesses, resulting in 70 million annual sick days across the industry. The related cost of these sick days is an estimated £70-100 billion. By providing adequate mental health support, employers can help create a safe space for employees, minimising the amount of days missed due to mental health concerns. Not only this, addressing mental wellbeing in the workplace could help increase productivity by as much as 12%, according to a 2015 study, while helping employees to feel more valued at work. Whilst it may not always be possible to change how employees feel, it is always helpful to let them know that a support framework is in place should they feel ready to talk.

This article appears in the AT journal no 150, summer 2024 as 'Let’s talk: why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support' and was written by Ellie Jobes, HR Director, Bagnalls.

--CIAT