It’s Time for a Change in the Construction Industry: Confronting the Mental Health Crisis

The construction industry is one of the most physically demanding and hazardous professions in the world. But beneath the hard hats and steel toe cap boots lies another, often invisible risk: the mental health crisis plaguing this sector. It’s a problem that has gone unchecked for far too long, and it’s time for a change. As an industry that has made leaps and bounds in construction technology and engineering innovation, it’s now time to tackle the mental health issues that continues to be ignored.

Construction and Mental Health: A Silent Crisis

While construction professionals are quick to adopt new methods for erecting skyscrapers and pushing the boundaries of civil engineering, they remain woefully behind in addressing mental health concerns. The statistics don’t lie. Research consistently shows that the construction industry ranks among the worst when it comes to mental health and suicide rates. Male construction workers in the UK are almost four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average. 700 people a year take their lives in construction related suicides.

This alarming data isn’t just a reflection of numbers; it tells the story of real people builders, engineers, supervisors, apprentices who are struggling! Yet, mental health discussions in this field are too often met with dismissal, mockery, or worse, silence. The industry has been remarkably efficient at solving problems related to engineering and construction but when it comes to the human element, there’s an overwhelming reluctance to acknowledge that something is wrong.

The question then arises: why? Why are we so quick to evolve in building techniques but so slow to recognise the importance of mental well being? It’s time for a cultural shift within the construction industry. One that prioritise mental health just as much as it does structural integrity.

A Personal Perspective from Over a Decade in Construction

Having spent over 14 years in the construction industry, I’ve witnessed the hard work and dedication of people in this field firsthand. These are individuals who wake up before dawn, endure harsh weather conditions and often work overtime to meet deadlines. Construction workers are known for their resilience and ability to solve complex engineering problems on the spot but when it comes to mental health? It’s a completely different story.

It’s not just that mental health is ignored, it’s actively mocked. Vulnerability is seen as a weakness, and asking for help is often out of the question. The industry operates on an old skool mindset of “just get the job done and don’t complain.” This toxic culture not only perpetuates the stigma surrounding mental health but also prevents real solutions from being put in place.

A memory that stands out vividly for me is a time when I had just finished a particularly dirty job. Covered in grime, I was carrying my lunch and heading for the lift when a manager stopped me. He told me to leave the lift because I was too dirty despite the fact that I had just completed a task he had assigned to me. Instead of using the lift, I was forced to walk up eight flights of stairs and when I finally reached the top, I had to eat in a windowless, unheated room filled with industrial equipment.

At the time, I was furious. The message was clear: as a contractor, I didn’t belong in the spaces meant for others. We were supposed to be invisible. Don’t use the lifts, don’t enter through the front and don’t be seen unless given explicit permission but now, years later, I realise that this kind of treatment wasn’t an isolated incident. It’s systemic. And it goes far beyond being forced to take the stairs; it’s about the entire culture of how contractors and construction workers are viewed and treated.

The Hidden Cost of Stress in Construction and Engineering

Construction and engineering projects are notorious for their high pressure environments. Deadlines are tight, budgets are limited and the demand for precision is relentless but what often gets overlooked is the toll this takes on workers mental health. The constant stress, the long hours and the pressure to deliver perfection all contribute to an atmosphere where mental health issues are bound to arise.

Let’s not forget the pervasive problem of late payments in the industry. Imagine working weeks or months on a project, dealing with physical exhaustion and then not being paid on time. Financial stress, coupled with the demands of the job, creates a perfect storm for mental health issues to flourish. The ripple effects of these conditions can lead to burnout, depression and anxiety and in the worst cases, even suicide!

While engineering solutions have helped the construction industry achieve greater efficiency and sustainability, there has been little to no investment in the mental well being of the workforce. The same attention given to project management software and construction technology needs to be directed toward creating mental health resources and fostering supportive work environments. Just as a building requires a solid foundation to stand tall, so too does the workforce that builds it need a stable foundation of mental well being.

Changing the Culture: Building Safe Spaces for Mental Health

The construction industry is overdue for a shift in how it handles mental health. There needs to be a change in mindset from the top down management of construction companies to the apprentices on the ground. We need to build safe spaces where workers can talk openly about their struggles without fear of ridicule or retribution.

This is where Onward Shift comes in. I’m proud to announce that our organisation is taking on a new mission: to foster a positive, supportive environment for everyone in construction, from apprentices to managers to founders. We’re creating the safe space that has been missing for so long and we’re doing it together. You won’t have to walk this journey alone because the entire Onward Shift team will be right by your side, advocating for your mental health and well being.

The construction industry thrives on teamwork whether it’s building a high rise, engineering a bridge or managing a project. The same teamwork mentality needs to be applied to mental health. It’s not about individual struggle; it’s about collective support. Together, we can change the narrative.

A Bold, Unfiltered Conversation

Of course, not everyone will be on board with this shift. My content might annoy some, provoke others and even make people uncomfortable. But that’s precisely the point. The conversation around mental health in construction needs to be raw real, and unfiltered. It’s not about sugar coating the struggles. It’s about exposing them, sharing emotions and starting a dialogue that can lead to tangible change.

Here’s the reality: sometimes, things have to get worse before they get better. The process of shifting the culture around mental health in the construction industry won’t happen overnight but it has to start somewhere and it starts with a conversation.

A Call to Action: Share Your Story

So, I leave you with this question: can you share a story that has affected you in the workplace? Your experiences matter, and by sharing them, you can help keep this conversation going. Whether you’re a construction worker, an engineer or a manager, your voice is important!

Together, we can make the construction industry a place where mental health is prioritised and everyone feels valued.

Let’s build a better, more supportive industry. One where mental health is treated with the same urgency as the structures we create.