Changing the Culture of Construction – Mental Health & Wellbeing in our Industry
Launched in 2017, Mates in Mind has worked tirelessly to improve mental health across the construction industry and related sectors, reaching more than 187,000 individuals. By 2025 the charity aims to provide the ongoing support needed for organisations battling mental health and reach an outstanding 75% of the construction industry.
ECL has empathetically supported the mental health charity since 2019, and we’ve recently extended our support to 2025 in aid of them reaching this momentous target.
We recognise that the construction sector has historically been prone to overlook or deprioritise mental health. And even though considerable advances have been made in recent years, there is still much to be done to improve the current statistics of men who suffer from mental health conditions in construction.
A 2022 report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into workplace-related deaths shows that men in construction are four times more likely to die from suicide than the UK average. The figures amount to as many as nine deaths per week.
With statistics like this, supporting Mates in Mind is an absolute must. It enables us to not only help those within our industry but also equip us with the learnings and tools to effectively break the silence surrounding mental ill-health within our business.
Claire Stacey, HSEQT Manager, and Kirstie Smith, HSEQT Co-Ordinator, will be heading the campaigns in support of the charity. They conducted a mental health quiz earlier in the year and issued a safety alert around time to talk day.
Claire Stacey commented.
“I have been a mental health first aider since 2018, and it has become a very important part of my role here at ECL and in my personal life. I supported close family members when they struggled with mental health last year. No one should have to suffer in silence or be ashamed to admit they are struggling, and that’s why charities like Mates in Mind are critically important for the construction sector. Charities like these can save a person’s life. It’s great to see that ECL has supported this charity for the last four years and will continue to do so until 2025 and hopefully beyond.”
BEAMAT Text Service
Recently mates in Mind introduced their new text service, “BEAMATE”. This service provides a holistic approach to tackling mental illness and stigma within the construction industry. To use the service, simply text “BeAMate” to 85258, and a trained volunteer will be there to help you with issues including anxiety, stress, loneliness, or depression. They are available 24/7.
For more information on Mates in Mind, contact Claire Stacey (HSEQT Manager) or Kirstie Smith (HSEQT Co-Ordinator).
