We asked industry members to share their views, as World Mental Health Day invites us to reflect on our workplaces.
Two construction workers take their own life every single working day in the UK.
According to the Lighthouse Charity, stress, depression or anxiety accounts for 20% of all work-related illness in construction.
Feeling stressed or worried at work from time to time isn’t unusual. However, people in the construction industry also face job-related risks that can take a serious toll on their mental health.
This fear can range from contracting a construction-related illness or suffering a major accident onsite.
If you’ve been personally affected by this issue, then please know that help is there. Call the Samaritans for free on 116 123.
World Mental Health Day 2024 invites us to think about how our workplace affects us or could support us.
So we spoke to ICE members to gain their insights on how we can improve mental health in the construction industry.
How can we better support mental health in the construction industry?
1. Set up a support network
Members have seen the industry start to implement initiatives and support systems to promote mental health and wellbeing.
However, more could be done to ensure onsite teams feel fully supported, says Kayla Browne, section engineer at BAM Nuttall.
“While we conduct toolbox talks and provide access to employee assistance programs, the stigma around seeking help still prevents many from speaking up,” she explains.
Being proactive
Lilli Crämer, senior civil engineer and planner at Costain, says employers need to be more proactive.
“Support might be there if required but when you are in need you might not feel like reaching out, so we need to become more proactive.
“When someone reports a prolonged time off, for any reason, the line manager and HR should proactively allocate a support network to help the person with their specific needs.”
They could also provide guides to resources they might need within and outside the company.
2. Understand mental health is as important as physical health
“It would be great to see mental health first aiders and mental health resources shared as prominently as physical first aid information,” says Kayla.
Lilli, who also chairs the ICE Wales Cymru Committee, has been a mental health first aider for some years now.
“However, [mental health] still feels like it’s an add-on,” she says.
Physical health is embedded in everything engineers do, and mental health needs to get on that same level, she explains.
Mark Thurston, Anglian Water CEO, suggests: “Approach mental health like we do site safety, with specialist and competent people embedded among teams (sites and offices) to advise, support and challenge leaders to reinforce the importance.”
3. Offer training
“All line managers should be trained up on providing mental health support and make it normal to have mental heath check-ins regularly to provide support early,” says Lilli.
“The same could be set up for supply chain managers to provide support for employees of smaller companies and agency staff,” she adds.
Kayla’s company offers two wellbeing days each year, which can be used flexibly.
She finds this encourages employees to participate in mental health awareness training – another positive step.
4. Help maintain work-life balance
"Maintaining a work-life balance is essential to our mental health and employers need to be attentive to ensuring that work does not affect our personal and family time," says Jonathan Fashanu, founding director of Dash House Group.
"Encouraging social activities that include families help us integrate community values into the work environment."
"Connection to nature is a fundamental part of nourishing our mental health," Jonathan adds.
Recently taking time off in the mountains, Jonathan found it really helped to put purpose into why he's an engineer and how he can shape the work he does to benefit nature.
"It's a great way to avoid burnout and appreciate how connected we are as humans with the natural environment," he says.
5. Create a culture of openness
“Our industry thrives on problem solving and innovations, which is why it’s important to focus on a healthy workplace to avoid burnout,” says Tara Sirati, senior geotechnical engineer at Jacobs.
“As team members, colleagues, line managers and committee members we need to talk about uncomfortable topics,” adds Tara, who chairs the ICE Wales Cymru Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Committee.
But how can employers and employees go about having these conversations?
“Create time and space for conversations about mental wellbeing,” says Mark, who learned about being an ally as the former CEO of HS2 Ltd.
“This will look different in different environments but be very deliberate in setting the conditions where staff will feel comfortable expressing themselves.”
Feeling safe being vulnerable and authentic
Mark, who has written about the importance of leaders being vulnerable to help them connect, says the same applies for mental health.
“By making it clear to teams that it’s ‘ok not to be ok’ and mental health and wellbeing being affects anyone and everyone, it gives us all permission to find a way to address this.”
Jonathan reminds us: "Creating a culture of openness and inclusion plays a big part in helping us feel safe and supported.
"We all have different life experiences and needs and being able to work with those needs being acknowledged allow us to bring more of our authentic selves to work."
But despite our differences, we can all support one another.
“We all play a part in recognising signs of poor mental health in ourselves and others around us," Tara says.
“Let's hold more open and safe discussions around mental health and tackle this long overdue issue."
How the ICE Benevolent Fund can help
“Supporting mental health is important in any and every industry,” says Dr Janet Young, ICE director general and secretary.
“Day-to-day stress and worry can become overwhelming and at those times, it’s essential to seek help.”
Dr Young encourages members to seek help via the ICE Benevolent Fund (Ben Fund).
“I invite members to reach out to the ICE Ben Fund, which is equipped with a variety of support services that could make the difference. Don’t hesitate, the ICE is here to help,” she says.
The ICE Ben Fund can help ICE members and their dependent children access counselling.
This means members seeking support don’t have to wait for a GP referral and what can often be lengthy waiting lists. In most cases, the Ben Fund can process referrals on the same day.
Members can also opt for self-referrals if they prefer – they need to simply call the Ben Fund’s helpline or use the online wellbeing portal.
What counselling services does the Ben Fund offer?
The Ben Fund pays for any therapies it recommends. Some of the services include:
- Counselling specific to life events, such as bereavements or relationship breakdowns
- Counselling targeted for those living with anxiety and/or depression
- Counselling for children aged 12-18
The Ben Fund also offers support for autism, dementia and dyslexia.
