Bringing down statistics associated with mental health in the construction industry
Mental health statistics
- 97% of construction workers feel stressed at work.
- 40% of men in the UK will not discuss their mental health.
- 12.7% of all sickness absence days can be attributed to mental health conditions.
- 2 people working in the construction industry die by suicide every day.
Article written by Samantha Henstock, Data Administrator, Hawkins Electrical
I was recently given an amazing opportunity by RSK to attend a mental health first aid course. After suffering through my own mental health struggles, I decided long ago that I wanted to help others who were experiencing something similar. The opportunity to develop my skills and be able to provide support in a professional manner to my friends and colleagues is extremely valuable.
Global movement
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England has built a community of over half a million mental health first aiders since it first launched its training in 2007, with 20,000 organisations now equipped with specialist mental health training. MHFA England aims to break down the barriers surrounding mental health and to tackle the stigma. I was thrilled that RSK gave me the chance to be a part of this movement that spans 24 countries.
UK-focused stats
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, 15% of working-age adults were estimated to have a mental disorder. Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety. In the UK alone, again according to WHO data, 12.7% of all sickness absence days can be attributed to mental health conditions, with 400,000 of these days taken by employees in the construction industry. These numbers speak for themselves, and it is believed that new research will reveal that the cost-of-living crisis will have had a further negative impact.
There is a stigma attached to mental health, especially in the service industry, which is predominantly a male workforce with 1.8 million men employed in the UK in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 297,000 women, according to Statista. A recent Priory Group poll revealed that as many as 4 in 10 (40%) men in the UK will not discuss their mental health with close friends, family or a medical professional. Why won’t men talk about it? The underlying reasons were “I’ve learned to deal with it”, “I don’t wish to be a burden to anyone”, “I’m too embarrassed”, “there’s a negative stigma around this type of thing”, “I don’t want to admit I need support”, “I don’t want to appear weak” and “I have no one to talk to”.
A fifth of men (19.5%) have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, as confirmed by the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey
Office for National Statistics rates for suicide in England and Wales show that three-quarters of registered suicide deaths in 2020 were in men. It is estimated that, in the UK, 97% of construction workers feel stressed at work. Between 2011 and 2015, a quarter of UK construction workers considered taking their own lives, and in the same period, over 1400 workers died by suicide. Two people working in construction in the UK die by suicide every working day. These numbers are staggering, but there are organisations working hard to make a difference, which is why I am so grateful that RSK gave me the chance to make a difference.
Get involved
It is my belief that by supporting each other, by being open and honest about mental health and by promoting good mental health within our organisations, we can tackle the overwhelming numbers listed above.
Only through communication, empathy and understanding can we break the stigma around mental health and bring down the statistics. I would advise anyone with an interest in helping others to take the MHFA course to help MHFA England achieve its goal of making people more aware, and more supportive, of mental health conditions.
Find out more about Mental Health First Aid England