Breaking the Silence: Addressing Mental Health in Construction

Picture this. Three blokes sitting on a park bench on a warm spring day. The sun’s out, a light breeze moves through the trees and the scent of freshly cut grass lingers in the air from a distance. Everything seems normal…

But you’re close enough to hear them talking, close enough to feel the weight of their words!

Person 1: Morning, mate. How was your weekend?

Person 2: Yeah, decent, pal. What about you?

Person 1: Sweet as, mate but I read something the other day. It said 97% of construction workers deal with high stress.

Person 2: Ah, mate, you can’t believe everything you read online, you div.

Person 1: Alright, but then it said 91% of us feel overwhelmed.

Person 2: Mate, who isn’t? That’s just fucking life.

Person 1: Yeah… but then I read 59% of construction workers don’t talk about their problems.

Person 2: For God’s sake, talking doesn’t solve anything. Look at us we’ve been cracking on for years. Why start now?

Person 1: Maybe that’s the problem…

Person 2: What do you mean?

Person 1: Mate… we’ve got the highest suicide rates in the UK. Over three times higher than the national average. Last year, 700 of us took their own lives.

Person 2: You serious?

Person 1: Yeah, I’m serious.

Person 2: Well, no one’s looking out for us, mate. We’re just numbers on a spreadsheet. Who are we even supposed to “talk” to?

Person 1: I dunno… I heard there’s a few charities out there and there’s this sparky in Essex doing something about it.

Person 2: Yeah? What’s it called then?

Person 1: Upward… no, Onward…

Person 3: You mean Onward Shift?

Person 1: Yeah! That’s the one. Onward Shift!

The Harsh Reality of Construction Mental Health

These numbers don’t lie:

• 97% of construction workers experience high levels of stress.
• 91% feel overwhelmed by their workload.
• 59% never talk about their struggles.
• 700 lives lost to suicide in the UK construction industry each year.

   

These aren’t just statistics. These are real people, mates, fathers, brothers and sons who feel like they have no one to turn to.

Why Aren’t We Talking About It?

For years, there’s been a deeply ingrained culture in construction: just crack on, keep your head down and don’t show any signs of weakness. Mental health isn’t exactly a topic for the lunch break and vulnerability? That’s seen as a flaw!

But at what cost?

The truth is, suffering in silence isn’t strength. It’s dangerous. It’s costing lives and it’s leaving behind families, friends and entire communities wondering what they could have done differently.

The Mental Load of Construction Work

Construction workers face unique pressures that most other industries simply don’t. The combination of physically demanding labor, long hours, job insecurity and dangerous working conditions creates an environment where high levels of stress is the norm.

On top of that, many workers move from project to project, meaning job stability is never guaranteed. The financial strain of not knowing where your next paycheque is coming from, combined with the pressure to provide for a family, weighs heavily on thousands of construction workers across the country.

Then there’s the “macho” culture that still lingers in the industry. Admitting to mental health struggles is often seen as a sign of weakness. Too many workers bottle it up, fearing they’ll be seen as incapable or worse, unemployable. Many see Mental Health as a joke, laughing not realising how serious these matters are.

The Consequences of Staying Silent

When stress, anxiety and depression go unaddressed, they don’t just disappear. They build up. Over time, this can lead to serious consequences, including:

• Chronic stress and burnout – Making it harder to focus, stay motivated and perform well on the job.
• Increased risk of accidents – A stressed, fatigued worker is more likely to make mistakes, putting themselves and others in danger.
• Substance abuse – Some turn to alcohol or drugs to cope, leading to further health problems and job instability.
• Relationship breakdowns – Stress at work doesn’t stay at work. It affects marriages, friendships and family life.
• Suicidal thoughts – Feeling like there’s no way out, many construction workers see suicide as the only option.

   

Change is Possible and It Starts With Talking

It’s time to break the cycle. We need to shift our mindset and start normalising conversations about mental health.

Onward Shift are stepping up to make a difference. Founded by a sparky in Essex, this movement is creating a safe space where construction workers can talk, find support and most importantly not feel alone in their struggles!

What Can Employers Do?

Companies have a responsibility to prioritise mental health just as much as physical safety. Some ways employers can help include:

1. Providing Mental Health Training – Ensuring managers and team leaders know how to recognise signs of stress and depression in their workers.
2. Creating a Supportive Environment – Encouraging open discussions about mental health and removing the stigma.
3. Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) – Providing confidential counselling services to those who need it.
4. Improving Work Life Balance – Encouraging reasonable working hours and allowing for mental health days when necessary.
5. Assigning Mental Health Ambassadors – Having workers trained to provide peer support and guidance to those who are struggling.

    

What Can You Do?

If you work in construction and you’re struggling, know this: you are not alone. There are people out there who want to help and there are steps you can take to protect your mental well-being:

1. Start the Conversation – If you notice a mate struggling, ask how they’re doing. Sometimes, a simple “You alright?” can make all the difference.
2. Break the Stigma – Talking about mental health doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human!
3. Reach Out for Support – There are charities, helplines and initiatives like Onward Shift designed to help construction workers.
4. Look Out for Each Other – Mental health is just as important as physical health. We’d never ignore a broken bone so why ignore a struggling mind and emotions?
5. Prioritise Self-Care – Make sure you’re getting enough rest, eating well and finding healthy ways to manage stress.

    

This Must Change

Thousands of workers still don’t feel comfortable speaking up. Over a million struggle with stress every single day. 700 families are torn apart every single year.

This should change. This needs to change. This MUST change. If you’re struggling don’t keep it in. Talk to someone and if you don’t know where to start, check out Onward Shift because no one should have to suffer alone.

Statistics Found-
High levels of stress:
https://www.ciob.org/news/ciob-launches-global-survey-to-address-constructions-silent-mental-health-crisis#:~:text=The%20last%20report%2C%20released%20in,received%20any%20mental%20health%20training.

Overwhelmed:
https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/hr-skills-news/mental-health-in-construction-stress-management-vital/127714/

Struggling to talk:
https://constructionwave.co.uk/2023/04/24/band-of-builders-bid-to-stop-industry-suicides/#:~:text=A%20majority%20(59%25)%20of,to%20talk%20with%20their%20peers.

Suicides:
https://re-flow.co.uk/news/the-latest-information-and-initiatives-on-mental-health-in-the-construction-industry-2024