UK Construction workers’ mental health: In line with Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, IronmongeryDirect, in collaboration with charity Mind, has published survey results of UK tradespeople to highlight the issue of work-related stress within the construction industry. The report found that nearly half (49%) of construction workers experience poor mental health due to work-related issues. It also found that nearly three in five (58%) deal with mental health problems at least once per week, with finances the biggest cause of stress. Some 38% of tradespeople saying that money contributed to issues with their mental health.
Today, 454 hard hats have been laid out at a building site in Leeds to represent the number of construction workers who die from suicide each year. The exhibition marks Mental Health Awareness Week (10-16 May) and aims to highlight the issue of suicide in the sector, with male construction workers three times more likely to die from suicide than the average UK man. The collection of hard hats was displayed at the Leeds College of Building to visualise the scale of the suicide problem within the construction industry.
Finances are the biggest cause of stress. Some 38% of tradespeople saying that money contributed to issues with their mental health.
Marco Verdonkschot, managing director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “It’s heart-breaking to hear the statistics – on average, at least one construction worker dies from suicide every single day of the year – but seeing the scale of the problem laid out visually really hits home.
“Unfortunately, mental health problems are common in the construction industry, but lots of people don’t feel able to talk about their feelings. This stigma needs to be addressed if the awful suicide statistics are to be lowered, so hopefully, by raising awareness of the issue, things can start to gradually improve.”
Patrick Leahy, Go-Float comments:
“For employers in the construction industry, a well-engineered financial wellness strategy can help employees manage their personal finances and external factors that impact their well-being. By helping construction workers manage their finances better, their reduced stress levels will positively translate into stronger workplace productivity and overall improved mental health.”
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References:
https://constructionmanagermagazine.com/454-hard-hats-laid-out-to-represent-construction-suicides/
https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/mental-health-in-the-trades/
