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Football legends tackle construction’s mental health crisis
Nadine Buddoo CM People Editor
An England football legend, backed by local sports stars, is spearheading a new charity encouraging construction workers to talk about mental health
Former England and Everton player Trevor Steven yesterday (20 March) launched mental health initiative Mindflow at the National Football Museum in Manchester.
The event was attended by Mindflow ambassadors, including Manchester City’s David White, Paul Dickov and Paul Lake; Tottenham Hotspur’s Paul Stewart; and Sheffield United’s Curtis Woodhouse.
The initiative has also been endorsed by football legends Gary Lineker, Robbie Fowler, Stuart Pearce, Ally McCoist, Peter Reid, and Viv Anderson.
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Through Mindflow’s Talk Football Talk Mental Health programme, current and ex-football players will visit construction sites to deliver mental health awareness sessions, encourage conversation, and recruit volunteers from each session to train as mental health first-aiders.
The ambassadors have all publicly shared their challenges around mental health and have first-hand experience to support the construction industry.
Former Everton and England footballer Trevor Steven plays table football with Matt Hartill, head of wellbeing and mental health support for Brand Access Solutions, at the official launch event for Mindflow (image: James Speakman/PA Media Assignments)
Key findings
Research conducted across various construction sites by Steven, supported by software firm Causeway Technologies, found that more than half (56%) of site workers are either currently experiencing or have experienced mental health problems.
The survey also found that many workers in the industry (67%) are football fans.
“Football, and sport in general, has made great strides in destigmatising issues around mental health, whereas in construction, the statistics around suicide rates tell an opposing story,” Steven said.
“Getting people talking is widely cited as being key to tackling poor mental health. Football offers a potential route in; it is a sport that brings people together and starts conversations.
“We hope that through football, Mindflow can help site workers to speak more freely about their mental health.”
Former Everton and England footballer Trevor Steven speaks at the official launch event for Mindflow (image: James Speakman/PA Media Assignments)
Consistent and measurable standards
Through its Charter, Mindflow will champion a consistent, and measurable, standard for mental health provisions on site, set out by the local authority on publicly funded projects.
Currently, the level of mental health support for workers is typically determined by the contractor.
Phil Brown, executive chairman at Causeway Technologies and chair of trustees at Mindflow, said: “We’ve worked closely with Trevor for years on research into the mental health crisis in construction. The findings are clear – construction is an industry where mental health struggles are common yet go unspoken.
“That’s why it’s so important that Trevor is launching Mindflow and combining football and construction to initiate meaningful conversations and provide real, practical support.
“Causeway is proud to be backing Mindflow and looks forward to seeing how the power of football can create meaningful change in the industry.”
Mental health support and advice for CIOB members, past members and related family is available through CIOB Assist. CIOB, in partnership with Anxiety UK, also provides wellbeing support. The Samaritans provides 24/7 support on 116 123.
Credit for all images: James Speakman/PA Media Assignments.
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