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The world of construction can be tough, thanks to long hours, harsh weather conditions, the physical toll on your body, job insecurity and tight deadlines. But the construction industry is facing another challenge: mental health.
A recent study found that construction workers are 3.4 times more at risk to suicide than those who work in other jobs, and this number is on the rise. So what can you do to boost your team’s mental health and wellbeing?
Here are a few ways to deconstruct the stigma of talking about mental health and support your employees.
Training
In order to create a supportive work environment, employees need to feel comfortable to approach line managers or supervisors.
To equip senior management with the right skills and knowledge to handle mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, training courses should be provided.
These courses teach participants how to spot mental illness and the best ways to start conversations about it without being insensitive or invasive, as well as how to implement pre-emptive measures.
New employees should be made aware that their superiors are trained in this field and that they can turn to them for support.
A workplace mental health first aider (MHFA)
Selecting and developing a mental health first aider within your organisation is a great way to show your employees that you take the subject – and their wellbeing – seriously.
Just like a regular first aider, a mental health first aider is someone who is trained and qualified to recognise mental health issues.
Having one dedicated person may make it easier for employees to approach someone who is impartial, rather than having to approach their line manager or supervisor who they may find intimidating or ‘too busy’.
MHFAs can also wear embossed personal protective equipment that identifies them as the go-to person dedicated to improving the whole organisation’s mental health and wellbeing.
Toolbox talks
A toolbox talk can be a great way to get employees to open up and start conversations. In these presentations, facts and figures can be shown to emphasise the importance of good mental health in the workplace, especially in construction.
If your company has an office or base, make sure that help is readily available, without individuals having to draw attention to themselves to the wider group. Simply having posters with facts and helplines could help, as could contact numbers for the Construction Industry Helpline or Samaritans.
Mental health is becoming a significant issue within the construction industry but, by taking these simple steps, you can offer support, encourage open dialogue and help to defeat the harmful stigma surrounding mental health.
