28 Sep World Mental Health Day (10 October): Supporting Mental Wellbeing in Construction
Construction is an industry built on teamwork, problem-solving and people working together under pressure.
From managing tight programmes and changing site conditions to meeting safety, quality and commercial expectations, construction professionals regularly deal with demanding situations. While the industry has long placed a strong emphasis on physical health and safety, protecting mental wellbeing is just as important.
World Mental Health Day, held every year on 10 October, provides an opportunity to put that conversation firmly in focus. According to the World Health Organization, the purpose of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and encourage greater support for mental health and wellbeing.
For the construction industry in particular, that conversation matters.
Mental Health Remains an Important Issue in Construction
Construction can be an extremely rewarding career, but it can also bring pressures that affect mental wellbeing.
Things that could contribute to stress are:
- Long hours
- Time away from home
- Demanding deadlines
- Financial uncertainty
- Physical fatigue
- Responsibility for safety
There may also still be a reluctance within parts of the industry to talk openly about mental health or admit when something is becoming difficult.
Research published by the Chartered Institute of Building found that 97% of construction workers surveyed had experienced high levels of stress, while 71% said they had received no mental health training. More than a quarter of respondents also reported having experienced suicidal thoughts.
This research clearly demonstrates why mental health within the construction sector requires continued attention.
Creating a Culture Where People Can Talk
One of the most important steps any construction business can take is to make conversations around mental health feel normal.
People do not always need someone to solve a problem for them. Sometimes, being able to speak openly to a colleague, supervisor or manager without feeling judged can be the first step towards getting the right support.
That means creating workplaces where asking someone how they are doing is part of everyday working life rather than something reserved for when there is an obvious problem.
Managers and supervisors also have an important role to play. Changes in behaviour, unusual tiredness, irritability, reduced concentration or someone becoming withdrawn can sometimes indicate that a colleague is struggling.
Nobody should be expected to diagnose a mental health condition, but recognising when someone may need additional support can make a meaningful difference.
Looking Beyond Physical Safety
Construction has made enormous progress in physical health and safety.
Risk assessments, method statements, PPE, training and site procedures are central to modern construction, and rightly so. But wellbeing should form part of the same overall approach to looking after people.
Mental health can affect concentration, decision-making, communication and confidence, all of which matter greatly in a safety-critical environment.
Supporting wellbeing can include practical steps such as:
- Encouraging regular conversations between managers and teams
- Making mental health information and support easy to access
- Training supervisors to recognise signs that someone may be struggling
- Encouraging appropriate breaks and manageable workloads
- Avoiding a culture where excessive hours are treated as normal
- Supporting employees who raise concerns
- Promoting respect between everyone working on a project
Small changes to workplace culture can help create an environment where people feel more comfortable speaking before a problem becomes overwhelming.
Supporting Each Other on Site
Construction projects succeed when people communicate. The same principle applies to wellbeing.
Checking in with a colleague does not need to be complicated. Taking a few minutes to ask how someone is getting on, listening properly to the answer and creating space for an honest conversation can be valuable.
For employers, it is equally important that people know where to go if they need more support.
Clear internal procedures, access to occupational health or employee assistance programmes where available, and signposting towards professional mental health support can all form part of a responsible wellbeing strategy.
Most importantly, people need to feel that speaking up will be taken seriously and treated respectfully.
Making Mental Health Part of Everyday Safety
At U&M Group, health and safety, professionalism and engineering excellence sit at the heart of the way we work.
Our values also reflect the importance of people and teamwork.
We believe in recognising everyone’s contribution, building strong teams through communication and shared goals, and working collaboratively, safely and respectfully. Our values are:
1. We Achieve
2. We Believe
3. We Care
4. We Deliver
These values help define the standards we expect across our business.
We also provide a free Employee Assistance Programme. This is a confidential helpline available to all of our employees to speak with trained consultants in order to help them manage any needs or concerns; including mental health, financial worries, relationship issues or other health concerns.
Whether someone is working on site, managing a project or supporting operations behind the scenes, creating a workplace where colleagues can communicate openly and support each other helps build stronger teams.
The construction industry depends on skilled, experienced and committed people. Looking after those people should therefore be every bit as important as looking after the projects they deliver.
Keep the Conversation Going
World Mental Health Day is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness, but supporting mental wellbeing should not be limited to one day each year.
Positive change comes from everyday conversations, respectful workplaces and a willingness to notice when someone around us may need support.
On 10 October, we encourage everyone across the construction industry to take a moment to check in with their colleagues, start a conversation and remember that looking after mental health is part of looking after each other.
If you or someone you know is struggling, Samaritans can be contacted free at any time by calling 116 123. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.