The construction industry is one of the largest and most rewarding industries to work in. It’s the backbone of societal infrastructure. It designs and creates the built environment in response to all our needs - from somewhere to call home through to enabling global infrastructure; connecting societies through transportation, keeping societies functioning with water and energy systems and provides critical resources such as hospitals, schools and workplaces.

It officially accounts for 6% of the economic output of the UK providing employment for 2.3 million people (Chartered Institute of Building, 2020).

The industry prides itself on its exemplarily health and safety standards using Heightened Risk Assessment (HRA) measures to prevent injury or death at work. But is it really the safest industry to work in? HRA’s only accounts for risks towards physical health, so how is the sector protecting its people when it comes to their mental health? 

Men in construction are almost 4 times as likely to die by suicide than the national average (2016: Office of National Statistics). A further 26% of construction industry professionals have thought about taking their own lives at some point during their career (2019: The Chartered Institute of Building).

On average, two construction workers die by suicide. Every. Single. Day.

Emma Gunn, CEO of Re-Balance said: “What is striking is each time the figures are shown, people are shocked. But the rate of suicide in the construction industry has constantly been on the rise for at least the last 5 years, if not more. If every construction company set a clear target to reduce suicide rates to 0, just as they do with accidents with clear Heightened Risk Assessments, that would be a phenomenal rebalance in the world with at least 730  lives saved every year. It’s time to stop being shocked and do something about it”

Re-Balance are calling for all construction companies to include at least one Heightened Risk Assessment around mental health. 

Talking about this initiative, Jaan Madan, Co-Founder of Re-Balance said: " By introducing this measure throughout the supply chain, we know we can dramatically reduce the number of suicides. But we also know that doesn’t come easy so we’ve designed an approach to help construction companies on that journey. We take a layered approach, think of it as building blocks that add value each time you add another block onto the stack. When we assess the data, implement training and provide appropriate support, we are creating a rich environment of data driven initiatives, skilled workers and a safety net of support - everyone who can then go on to thrive not only in their work but in their personal lives and communities as well”

There is strong support for change within the industry with initiatives such as Building Mental Health who provide free resources curated by industry experts and have created the first charter to tackle the mental health crisis in the construction industry.

Martin Coyd, Head of Health and Safety at Capitals and Counties Properties (Capco) and one of the founders of Building Mental Health said: “With the impact of the pandemic this year taking a huge toll on people’s mental wellbeing, we should be even more concerned. Not only did the pandemic hit elementary workers the hardest with 39.7 deaths per 100,000 men (421 deaths), the uncertainty that the pandemic caused created increased cases of mental ill health due to isolation, fear of losing jobs and financial worries. We’re not out of the woods yet with the pandemic so it’s important we do what we can for our people most affected and build a healthy system that is sustainable to be able to deal with all scenarios.”

Through our research, Re-Balance have found that there are some great examples within the construction industry where the culture shift around mental health and reducing the risk of suicide is starting to appear on board room agendas. This is the first critical step in moving the dial from empathetic leadership to compassionate leadership and ensuring mental health is embedded throughout all business operations.

Tommy Drumm, Managing Director of Collen Contruction LTD said: “Mental health issues are a critical aspect of wellbeing that we as an industry are called to address together.  The statistics of suicide in Ireland especially among construction workers are stark and challenges us as an industry.  One suicide is one too many. Suicide deeply affects many families and everyone in construction can demonstrate their leadership by taking an active role in becoming a healthy influence for others struggling with their mental health”.

 Over the years, Mental health stigma has contributed to the lack of awareness and to redress this requires positive action at community and individual level.  The construction industry is uniting to drive a culture shift across the sector to make available the resources and services to support every individual facing mental health challenges. Creating an open and safe environment where it’s comfortable to discuss mental health concerns in the workplace, will encourage those who need it to reach out for help.

Collen is working with the Re-Balance team to develop the organisation’s mental health and wellbeing strategy and is passionate about developing a Mental Health and Wellbeing programme that empowers its employees to make healthy choices, through information and access to initiatives which improve well-being in the workplace.”

For more information on how Re-Balance is working within the construction industry or can help your organisation with your own Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, visit our website here

Photo by Yury Kim

ENDS

About Re-Balance

- Re-Balance was founded by Poppy Jaman, OBE, CEO of City Mental Health Alliance and Jaan Madan.

- Collectively have 60 years of working in the fields of mental health, community development and organisational change to create positive action.  

- Re-Balance exists to create vital conversations that voice and address inequalities faced by millions each day.

- Re-Balance work reviews the assumptions that uphold inequality, perpetuate discrimination, hinder mental health and well-being. 

- Re-Balance works to move individuals, organisations, businesses, communities, and governments to adapt and adopt changes that empower us all to create a better world.

- Re-Balance focuses on the intersection between mental health and well-being, diversity and inclusion, social mobility and poverty, planetary health and climate action

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