Improving understanding of mental health within the construction industry
The construction industry is at a pivotal moment, with the government working toward ambitious homebuilding targets, and investing in large infrastructure projects. It is certainly positive news for the industry, but among all this extra work in the pipeline, we need to be conscious of the added delivery pressures that come alongside.
For an industry that is addressing its mental health culture, we must welcome the growing demand while ensuring all the wonderful workers within the industry have the support and open channels of communication they need, to seek help when times get tough. Equally, we need employers to be equipped with the staff and knowhow to support their employees, even when they’re not proactively reaching out for help.
The 2023 Mates in Mind Impact Report found that stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 49 per cent of work-related ill-health, and that one-third of construction workers live with severe levels of anxiety. Two construction workers on average take their own lives each working day and mental health issues are around four times as prevalent in the industry than the general population, according to mental health charity Mates in Mind.
High-pressure environments, long commutes, job security, and isolation on the job are all well-documented stressors. But perhaps one of the most damaging factors is the long-standing culture of a belief that emotional struggles are a private matter or even a sign of weakness. More research from Mates in Mind, and the response from SMEs and sole traders in the industry find ‘talking about my mental health extremely difficult’ and almost 70 per cent agreed that ‘there is a stigma about mental health which stops people from talking about it’. Too often people in construction feel like they can’t talk about their mental health issues, and it’s imperative we improve the poor understanding of mental health in the industry.
The construction sector is under pressure to deliver on tight deadlines. As a factor of skill shortages within the construction industry, workers are often under increased pressure, which can lead to working extended hours and at a heightened risk of burnout. The skills shortages aren’t just about new entrants and training, but also retention. When workloads are increasing and becoming too much, this results in the switching of sectors or leaving the workforce entirely. As a result, the skills shortage issue remains, thus continuing the cycle of burnout.
At CITB, we remain committed to supporting those within the construction industry and do what we can to provide the necessary training and awareness. Since 2018, we have assisted nearly 52,000 people to complete mental health first aid and awareness training through our short courses. We believe it’s important to be vocal about the need for greater access to mental health support in the construction industry. That’s why CITB’s courses provide training to educate and equip construction workers with the knowledge to recognise mental health issues developing and start practical mental health conversations.
The training schemes that are supported through CITB’s Grants Scheme help raise awareness of mental health issues in the industry, helping people to understand the challenges their colleagues may be facing and encourage them to open up.
It’s also important to note that one of the key challenges for the industry is to ensure that mental health and wellbeing support is extended to small firms, supply chains, sub-contractors, and self-employed workers. These often difficult-to-reach workers should also be at the forefront of new thinking. Construction is a people industry, and personal connections are vital for improving wellbeing.
One effective way to target small and micro construction companies is through principal contractors. They should create awareness amongst their supply chain about the importance of mental health and open channels to talk about it on individual and company-wide levels. However, for those outside of supply chains, such as sole traders and self-employed workers, a more direct outreach strategy may be needed. These businesses may not have access to contractor-led communications. According to Mates in Mind and the Institute for Employment Studies, these groups are considered hard-to-reach and require tailored engagement to ensure they are not left behind in sector-wide mental health efforts.
CITB’s efforts and investment in mental health training have laid vital groundwork, offering the industry both the tools and permission to talk about what was once an unspoken topic. However, awareness is only the first step; we as an industry need to keep up the momentum and continue to support workers both on and off site.
CITB is supporting mental health programmes in both Wales and Scotland. In Scotland, CITB has funded £239,000 from the industry Impact Fund. Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland have joined forces with Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), creating a new suicide prevention training programme tailored to the Scottish construction industry.
The programme is designed specifically for the unique pressures faced by construction workers, aiming to equip companies and individuals with the tools necessary to identify colleagues facing mental health challenges and provide meaningful support. This will be available to individuals and companies across Scotland from Autumn 2025.
The NHS Wales Suicide Prevention and Self Harm Programme has partnered with CITB to roll out a campaign across construction sites in Wales that raises awareness of suicide and signposts people to support that is available. It is hoped the campaign will get people talking about suicide and mental health, reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking.
But this is just the beginning of an important conversation and movement toward ensuring the whole construction industry has access to help. At CITB, we are going to continue supporting the industry and encouraging people to open up about their mental health issues or provide them with the training to support their friends and co-workers who may be struggling. If we start to place more emphasis on these important conversations around mental health, we will not only make construction healthier, but safer too.
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is the designated industry training board for the construction sector in England, Scotland, and Wales. Its remit is to assist the construction industry in attracting talent and to champion skills development, with the overarching goal of building a better Britain, and its purpose is to support the construction industry in sustaining a workforce that is skilled, competent, and inclusive, both for the present and the future. CITB is committed to ensuring that the construction industry remains at the forefront of skill development and innovation, fostering a robust and diverse workforce that is equipped to meet the evolving needs of the sector.