The construction industry’s mental health crisis is severe, with suicide risks notably high among workers.
- Recent data reveals construction workers face a suicide risk eight times the national average, prompting urgent action.
- A new campaign, #Makeitvisible, spearheaded by charity Lighthouse Club, is creating measurable change in the sector.
- The initiative involves proactive strategies and has already significantly intervened in suicidal cases.
- Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Club, provides crucial insights and solutions in a recent podcast episode.
The construction sector is grappling with a critical mental health crisis, evidenced by a stark increase in suicide rates among workers compared to the general population. Recent figures indicate that those in the construction trades are eight times more likely to die by suicide. Such statistics necessitate immediate and effective intervention, as underscored in a recent podcast by The Engineers Collective.
The Lighthouse Club charity has taken a leading role in addressing these challenges with its #Makeitvisible campaign. This initiative, launched at the beginning of the year, is already demonstrating substantial impact in raising awareness and providing support. It encompasses four key components: reactive and proactive strategies, long-term cultural change efforts, and outcome measurement. These elements are designed to create a sustainable framework for mental wellbeing across the industry.
A notable aspect of the campaign includes partnerships with firms such as Ford and Speedy Hire, which have sponsored vans to facilitate outreach by trained mental health first aiders. These professionals, with lived experience of mental health challenges, engage with workers on-site, offering guidance and resources. The programme has successfully carried out 87 interventions for individuals at risk of suicide, highlighting its crucial role in the sector.
Bill Hill’s discussion on the podcast provides a detailed exploration of the campaign, offering practical advice to business owners and employees on supporting mental health. Hill urges construction firms to integrate the campaign’s video resource into their everyday safety briefings, ensuring widespread access to support information.
The podcast episode concludes with a reminder of the resources available to those in distress, including the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s helpline, the MakeItVisible.info portal, and the Samaritans. These services offer vital support to construction workers and their families, aiming to mitigate the serious mental health challenges faced within the industry.
The #Makeitvisible campaign marks a significant step towards improving mental health in construction, offering hope and support to those in need.
