In 2019, one in four construction workers in the UK
considered taking their own lives, and between 2011 and 2015, more than 1,400
construction workers died by suicide. Data from the Office for National
Statistics (ONS) reveals that those working in construction are 63% more likely
to die by suicide than the national average.
Poor mental health within the construction industry has
become a silent crisis, and we cannot afford to ignore it.
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As an NHS Psychologist who worked with clients with mental
health problems, I know that mental illness is one of the biggest public health
challenges. It is estimated that more than 4% of the world’s population is
suffering from depression alone and in Scotland, around one in three people are
estimated to be affected by mental illness in any one year.
These figures are significantly higher in the construction
industry, with a
new report from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) finding that 87%
of construction workers experienced anxiety and 70% experienced depression over
the course of 2019.
SMEs suffer most
Shockingly, the CIOB’s report also finds that the smaller
the business an individual works for, the more likely they are to experience
suicidal thoughts.
High levels of stress, long hours and financial pressures
are all factors that come into play, with many small businesses struggling with
cashflow and late payment issues even before the lockdown. Without appropriate
support for the industry from the Chancellor, these businesses may not have the
resources needed to support their own employees over the coming months.
These statistics are likely to have been made worse by the impacts of Covid-19.
Social stigma around mental health and a hyper-masculine environment within the industry are discouraging workers from seeking help
Last week, the ONS published a sobering finding – that men
in low-skilled jobs are almost four times as likely to die from Covid-19 as
professionals, which raises further concerns about the mental and physical
safety of predominantly on-site workers such as labourers.
With construction workers now being advised to go back to
work, it is only to be expected that many are concerned about returning.
Over the last fifteen years, worker safety on construction
sites has improved, with the introduction of the Working at Height Regulations
2005 and a collaborative effort by industry to strive for better. But now,
construction workers are more at risk of dying by suicide than falling from
height, and it is time that mental health was given the same level of attention
as physical safety amongst the workforce.
‘Macho’ culture
In an industry known for a ‘macho’ culture that is deeply
ingrained, mental health has rarely been part of the conversation. While mental
health issues are experienced by people of all genders, societal expectations,
social stigma around mental health and a hyper-masculine environment within the
industry are discouraging workers from seeking help and many are suffering in
silence.
Although the construction industry is beginning to open up
about mental health, it is revealing that the CIOB’s report finds that two
thirds of workers have not received any mental health training or awareness
over the past three years, and only one third said their employer would treat a
mental health issue very seriously. Many companies are waking up to the need
for mental wellness initiatives, but there is still a long way to go to ensure
that the right support is available.
This is a complex issue and one that the industry alone will
not be able to solve.
I know that many work-related mental health problems are
preventable, and it is important that people can feel supported at work to
manage their conditions successfully and live healthy, happy and productive
lives.
We need to offer attention and investment therefore to the mental health of workers just as we do regarding the safety of construction sites, and make sure that every workplace has the resources it needs to support the mental health of its employees.
Lisa Cameron is the Scottish National Party Member of Parliament for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow and a consultant clinical psychologist.
