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Tech and football join up for construction mental health drive
BIM+ Author
Causeway Technologies is teaming up with the official charity of Everton Football Club to improve mental health in construction nationally.
Causeway, and Everton in the Community (EitC) have launched a survey to find ways that technology can help improve mental health as previous research has discovered that mental health within construction is poor and there is a reluctance to talk openly about the issue.
The idea behind the initiative is that “football is a conversation starter”, something that most people on site are comfortable talking about, and how can we use this to make talking about mental health and wellbeing easier.
Trevor Steven, former Everton and England midfielder and now Causeway’s mental health ambassador, said: “We understand that there can be a stigma around mental health, and it can be hard for men to discuss their struggles. We believe that football offers a route in. It is a sport that brings people together, and we know from EitC’s previous work that club loyalty helps people to open up.
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“If successful, we believe that this could provide a blueprint that others within sport can follow to address this issue.”
Mental health site talks
Steven is looking for contractors to invite him on site to talk about football and mental health. He added: “Just look at how much progress has been made in other areas of health and safety in the last few years. This change isn’t going to happen overnight with a single organisation – it demands a collaborative effort across the industry. We need to rally together as a whole in the name of change and that’s what we’re seeking to do with this campaign.”
“We understand that there can be a stigma around mental health, and it can be hard for men to discuss their struggles. We believe that football offers a route in.”
Trevor Steven, Causeway mental health ambassador
Causeway chief executive Phil Brown said: “The construction industry struggles more than most with mental health issues. The stereotype is that it has a male-dominated workforce that does not ask for help when it comes to mental health. We feel we’re well placed as a technology provider to drive real change across the industry.
“We work across the entire construction supply chain and we believe that reach, and using the power of the football badge, can help us to connect the industry together and create real change.”
Gauging mental health
The survey will try to gauge mental health levels, and what sort of things are contributing to poor mental health, and how open people are about talking about this issue in the workplace.
It will also ask about the sort of tech people might like to use to help improve mental wellbeing such as apps measuring physical health that impacts on mental wellbeing such as tiredness, and blood pressure, as well as mental health directly, resources providing access to confidential support, and mindfulness programmes.
The initiative is part of a long-term partnership between Causeway and EitC that has already involved work to improve mental health, and digital inclusion.
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