Constructive Mental Health: Why construction industry employers must deliver support

As of 2024, more than one in seven adults say their mental health is either poor or the worst it has ever been. In this article Ellie Jobes, HR Director at Bagnalls, highlights the employers’ role and responsibility.

The NHS spends more than £300 billion a year dealing with the consequences of poor mental health. This is a crisis that isn’t going to heal overnight.

The increasing pressure on mental health services highlights the continued stigma around mental health, especially in the workplace and male-dominated fields, such as the construction sector.

Outdated attitudes and the culture of keeping a ‘stiff upper lip’ persist in some construction businesses, in part due to machismo culture and difficulty accessing mental health support.

With government data revealing that 822,000 people have suffered from health problems due to stress, depression or anxiety caused by work, it’s time to address why the construction sector has fallen behind when it comes to addressing mental health issues.

Of course, steps are being made in the right direction. Construction companies are starting to open up the conversation around mental health, introducing Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) into the workplace and providing additional mental health support.

Lad culture, depression and stigma

UK-based charity Mates in Mind has found that over two-thirds of construction workers believe there’s a stigma around mental health, which is stopping them from talking about their issues. This is further exacerbated when you consider that construction is a male-dominated sector, consisting of 83% male-identifying workers.

Dated beliefs around masculinity still exist within the sector’s workplace culture, as well as high rates of suicide among male-identifying workers. Sadly, men working in construction are 3.7 times more likely to die from suicide than women – that’s two men every day. What’s more, 26% are reported to have experienced suicidal thoughts and 48% have taken time off due to unmanageable stress.

Communicate now

In order for a construction company to be responsible for the welfare of its staff, it must address this crisis by opening up communication channels and ensuring that mental health doesn’t remain a taboo subject amongst the workforce.

As Ellie Jobes, HR Director at Bagnalls comments, “This doesn’t just mean addressing problems as they arise, it also means tackling the roots of the problem. We need to create a culture where men feel comfortable enough to speak out when they are struggling.

“This is just one of the reasons why we have Mental Health First Aiders in every Bagnalls branch, raising awareness and starting conversations about mental wellness. Our MHFAs are available to chat to in a relaxed environment, with no pressure and a focus on sharing worries so they seem more manageable.

Mental health and the economy

With the UK in recession and mental health services struggling under the strain, it’s important to address the underlying issues that perpetuate mental illness at work. Over the last two years, stress, anxiety and depression at work accounted for 49% of work-related illnesses. This resulted in 17.1 million days off, costing businesses £56 billion annually.

In recent years there has been a surge in individuals seeking support from NHS mental health services, with requests for assistance exceeding one million in the last five years. Since 2020, Britons have grappled with successive COVID-19 lockdowns, compounded by escalating energy bills, a significant rise in the cost of living and a recession.

ONS research has found that those who are struggling to afford housing bills or energy costs are more likely to show signs of depression. The same can also be said for those who rent, indicating a link between fiscal security and our mental health.

A recent report from the HSE identifies five causes of mental health issues within the construction industry: physical strain, job insecurity, long hours and stigmatisation. Job insecurity in particular is made worse by tightening budgets and rigid deadlines piling on the pressure, as well as personal finance problems leading to excessive overtime and further burnout.

What support should be available to construction workers?

There are many charities and organisations across the country offering resources to help tackle the mental health crisis within the construction industry.

MHFA England supports workplaces across various industries by offering tailored training and resources. Intending to educate one in ten individuals in mental health awareness and skills, the organisation aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health and foster an environment where discussing mental wellbeing is embraced.

The Mental Health First Aider course equips members of companies or organisations with the ability to listen attentively, provide reassurance and respond effectively to individuals who are struggling with their mental health.

For those who find it hard to initiate conversations about their mental health, Wellness Action Plans can serve as a valuable alternative. These plans help employers understand their staff requirements and concerns, making conversations that may be perceived as uncomfortable easier to navigate.

Various strategies can be adopted by construction companies to cultivate a more transparent culture. For instance, Bagnalls provides an Employee Assistance Programme, which is accessible at all times.

Ellie explains: “Providing proper mental health support should be a requirement for businesses in any sector, but companies working in construction have a particular responsibility. By partnering with Andy’s Man Club, training our staff members to become MHFAs and providing support via an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) scheme, we hope to raise awareness of the support that is available to our own workforce.

“However, awareness and access to support needs to be provided more widely to reduce the high suicide rate amongst people working in the construction industry. Let’s work together to get the word out there and make sure everyone gets the support they need.”