Writing in the March edition of Professional Builders Merchant, Editor Paul Davies discussed the all-round importance of effective mental health support for those in the industry.
I’m sure we’ve all had days where everything just seems a little too much. The complexities of life can all too often contribute to a sense of feeling overwhelmed, from the pressures of work to problems at home and, increasingly for many, financial worries…
Most people, most of the time, are blessed with the capacity to ‘roll up their sleeves and crack on.’ However, not everyone is so fortunate and — significantly — even the most seemingly resilient person can suddenly find themselves approaching breaking point.
And of course, mental health struggles are not a new phenomenon; individuals have always faced such difficulties but more often than not, they suffered in silence…
The alarmingly high levels of poor mental health in the construction sector are something I hope all readers are now more aware of. At its most stark, suicide rates are disproportionately high whilst numerous factors specific to the building industry exacerbate poor mental wellbeing, from pressures on site to job insecurity, isolation and fatigue.
“The dismantling of the stigmas surrounding mental health has been one of the most uplifting developments I have witnessed in the industry over the last few years.”
Some truly remarkable charities such as the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, Mates in Mind and Band of Builders have undertaken exceptional work to shine a spotlight on these troubling findings and in turn, the merchant sector has rallied to the cause in great numbers, offering support and highlighting the pathways available to customers who may be struggling.
This has also served to increase the focus on the importance of good mental health on the other side of the counter. Numerous merchants have, for example, introduced mental health first aiders to offer assistance and signpost dedicated support services to their own staff whilst the BMF offers dedicated training programmes in addition to advising businesses on how to sensitively handle any issues their employees may be experiencing.
Indeed, the dismantling of the stigmas surrounding mental health has been one of the most uplifting developments I have witnessed in the industry over the last few years. From being dismissed, diminished or ignored entirely, the subject now features regularly on the agendas of merchant sector events and conferences, with expert speakers addressing the issues with universally engaged audiences.
The BMF, for example, was one of the pioneers in bringing the issue to the main stages of industry events and at its Members’ Conference last year, it named Lighthouse Charity as its 2024 charity partner. Similarly, we are blessed to regularly receive communications from merchants, suppliers and charities about the initiatives they are undertaking in this field.
In the last few weeks, for instance, we loved the bulletin from Civils & Lintels detailing the on-vehicle signage it has initiated on behalf of Mates in Mind to promote the organisation’s free text helpline whilst later in this issue, we also detail some of the provisions Kerridge Commercial Systems is making for its staff, including its Mental Health First Aid Champions programme.
And beyond simply being the right thing to do, supporting your staff makes sound business sense. Studies have shown that stress, depression and anxiety account for 27% of all work-related illness in construction whilst the impact is not just at an individual level — research suggests that mental ill-health is responsible for 71 million working days lost every year, costing UK employers £118 billion each year.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, please visit Lighthouse Charity’s www.makeitvisible.info portal to find comprehensive details of the support that is available.
