Ex-England and Everton midfielder Trevor Steven believes football can play an important role in helping to address the suicide rate in construction.
Steven joined construction technology provider Causeway Technologies in 2020 and is using his profile to help tackle the stigma around mental health.
“Just consider the average number of fans at every football match who also work in the construction industry – that’s a lot of people we can reach out to,” he said.
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“So, what can we do to help address the suicide figures in construction? We have to encourage people to talk.”
Everton in the Community
Causeway is working closely with Everton in the Community – the football club’s official charity – to launch a major survey looking at mental health and wellbeing in construction.
The initiative aims to explore the views of construction workers on the role technology could play in helping to improve wellbeing on sites, while using the shared love of football to help facilitate conversations about mental health.
Steven acknowledges the traditionally laddish culture in construction – not dissimilar to football – can make it challenging for people to speak out about their mental health issues. “When it comes to the stigma around mental health, the environment inside a football dressing room is very similar to construction,” he said.
The former footballer is currently leading an outreach programme in which he visits construction sites across the country to raise awareness around mental health and wellbeing, as well as inviting workers to complete the survey.
“We hope the results will provide a snapshot of what it’s like to work in the construction industry,” Steven explained.
You can read the full interview with Steven at www.ciobpeople.com.
Mental health support and advice for present and past CIOB members and related family is available through CIOB Assist. CIOB, in partnership with Anxiety UK, also provides wellbeing support.
