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The Health in Construction Leadership Group supported by the British Safety Council has announced the launch of Mates in Mind – a sector-wide programme intended to help improve and promote positive mental health across the industry in the UK .
It is estimated that there are 2.5 million people employed in construction in the UK.
It is estimated that the number of deaths from suicide in the construction industry could be 10 times higher than those from fatal accidents at work.
Announcing the Mates in Mind campaign, Clive Johnson, Chair of the Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG), said, “The mission of HCLG as a group is to unite the construction industry in order to eradicate the ill health and disease caused by work-related activities, and this includes addressing mental health. It is estimated that the number of deaths from suicide in the construction industry could be 10 times higher than those from fatal accidents at work. Working together with the British Safety Council and key partners in the construction industry and mental health, we believe we can make a significant difference.”
Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, said, “We are delighted to be able to support the Health in Construction Leadership Group in launching this important initiative. In the last few years, we have all become far more aware of the pressing need to address health issues, and particularly mental health, in the workplace. The British Safety Council’s vision is that no-one should be injured or made ill at work, and that includes mental health.
The construction sector has previously come together to address the challenge it faced in relation to the high number of accidents. It is now coming together to do the same in relation to occupational health
The construction sector has previously come together to address the challenge it faced in relation to the high number of accidents. It is now coming together to do the same in relation to occupational health. A significant number of our members are operating in this sector. We can be even more impactful by working together, creating the opportunity to build understanding and take action.”
It is anticipated that Mates in Mind will be collaborating and working with a number of the recognised organisations in this field in the delivery of the programme.
I have always thought that being active is the best way to combat depression. I know a few people who have suffered break downs because of the business pressures of being self employed and keeping up the mortgage payments when work is scarce. The worst thing is having to sit at home during bad weather. If you get rained off it is miserablle and lots of blokes see no money coming in and the grey days outside and it gets to you.