THE SILENT PANDEMIC – MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH IN CONSTRUCTION

It has been well documented over the last 12 months, that the construction industry takes great care in protecting staff from visible risks, however the increased presence of hidden risks needs to be addressed – mental health and wellness.

The need to address employee’s mental health, wellbeing and development should be a priority for organisations.  The same attitudes and protocols towards physical health and safety, should be replicated to safeguard mental health.

Shocking new statistics show that: –

• Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45. However, male site workers are three times more likely to commit suicide than the average male in the UK.
• Suicide kills more construction workers than falls.
• Depression and anxiety are at an all-time high and have overtaken musculoskeletal disorders in the construction sector. Men in the 45-49 age group most likely to be affected.
• In 2014, 4,623 men took their own life, which equated to one man every 2 hours.
• In a 2017 survey, 73% construction workers felt their employers did not recognise the early signs of mental health. Consequently, 23% of those surveyed were considering leaving the industry, in the next 12 months, due to poor mental health.

Men and women’s health differ in numerous ways. These differences are created and reinforced by the type of work that men and women typically do. Men, for example, are more likely to do more physically dangerous work, work away from home so therefore being away from their family and friends and their home environment.

Exposure to these risks in Male-dominated sectors, such as construction, conspires with men’s apparent reservations to engage with health services which inevitably, has bad implications for their health and wellbeing.

Low levels of engagement are complex however, however seeking help is not seen as masculine. This can cause a major barrier. However, there are also practical issues such as being unable to fit GP appointments around work or the added complication of working away from home.

The construction industry can now play a fundamental role in changing the perceptions of mental health and eradicate the stigma of asking for help.  By managing this issue, it is also a matter of competitiveness, organisational and business resilience and a bottom-line performance issue.

How can the Springboard Consultancy help?

Navigator is the first UK training and development programme designed for men specifically dealing with 21^st century issues. This includes addressing mental health, and the complexities faced by social reality versus male stereotyping.  It encourages men to examine both their work and home life in order to identify practical and realistic steps. In addition, it creates a network which allows those supportive and open conversations.

This ‘gendered’ approach has been successfully delivered to over 9,000 men across many different industries, globally.  The programme is powerful and pioneering in its approach.

The Springboard Consultancy believe that Investing in employee wellbeing and personal growth, transforms your employees, and ultimately, your organisation.   It is proven to create added value and achieve higher performance and esteem levels, encourage effective team building, and deal with the challenges of day to day life whilst building employee resilience.

The Springboard Consultancy believes that the transformation of an organisation starts with those who are at the heart of the business

THE PEOPLE

The Springboard Consultancy would like to have a conversation with you about how we can help your employees, as well as looking at strategies and solutions to support your organisation.

For more information please call us on 0203 7946 730 or email helen@springboardconsultancy.com