Infobite 258: World Mental Health Day – Working Minds

Monday 10th October is World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme is Make Mental Health and Wellbeing for All a Global Priority. 

Stress, depression and anxiety are the second biggest cause of work-related ill-health in the construction industry. The HSE’s Working Minds campaign helps businesses to better support their workers, because the earlier a problem is tackled, the less impact it will have for workers and organisations.

This World Mental Health Day, the HSE encourages you to follow these five simple steps from their Working Minds campaign.

1. Reach out and have conversations
2. Recognise the signs and causes of stress
3. Respond by agreeing relevant action points between employer and worker
4. Reflect on the actions taken – have things improved?
5. Make it Routine to check back in on how things are going.

Starting a conversation is an important first step in preventing work-related stress in construction. The HSE’s Talking Toolkit is a great resource if you’re struggling to get started.

For additional construction-specific resources, check out Mates in Mind and the The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity. You can also signpost workers to other 24/7 helplines such as Shout (a 24/7 text-based crisis service) and Samaritans.