According to a new study on mental health in construction, 82% of builders in the UK suffer mental health problems due to work-related issues
The research was carried out by IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect for Mental Health Awareness Week (15-20 May), and the findings have been published in the third edition of the annual industry report.
Construction workers find it difficult to discuss mental health
The researchers found that 73% of UK builders experience mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, every month. It was also revealed that 45% feel symptoms every single week.
In addition to this, 92% said they did not feel comfortable discussing their mental health with others. Only 10% of respondents said that they had spoken about their mental health with friends and family.
Financial worries remained among the leading causes of stress across all industries. The wider cost of living crisis was identified as the number one concern, with 39% of respondents saying it affected their mental health. Around two in five workers said they were doing extra shifts to make ends meet, risking burnout.
The rising cost of materials was also among the main causes of stress for tradespeople. This issue ranked as the biggest challenge facing the industry in 2023.
The ten most common causes of stress for tradespeople are:
- Cost of Living crisis (39%)
- Rising cost of materials (36%)
- Finances (28%)
- Tensions with customers (20%)
- Doing the best job, you can for customers (17%)
- Job security (14%)
- Tensions with suppliers (13%)
- Risk of catching Covid-19 (12%)
- Making mistakes at work (12%)
- Too much work (12%)
In total, 10% of tradespeople said they were concerned about what their colleagues would think if they disclosed their mental health problems. A total of 27% of respondents said they could not request time off work for mental health-related reasons.
The survey revealed that builders were the most likely tradespeople to experience daily stress or anxiety, with 16% reporting these issues.
Addressing mental health in construction can benefit the industry
“In male-dominated industries such as construction, employees are often less willing and able to open up about their mental health and ask for support. This can be problematic because mental health problems often become worse if left untreated, and the consequences can be fatal,” said Emma Mamo, head of workspace wellbeing at Mind.
“We urge employers to create cultures where employees can speak openly and honestly about their mental health,” she added.
Promoting mental wellbeing in the workplace can bring numerous benefits to the construction industry. Mental health issues account for 20% of all work-related illnesses, causing 70 million sick days annually and costing the industry an estimated £70-100 billion. Evidence also suggests that investing in mental health support can lead to a 12% increase in productivity.
“As difficult as it might seem at first, it’s incredibly important to talk to someone about your feelings, whether that’s your partner, a friend or family member, a colleague, or a professional. This can open the door to getting help and starting to address the problems you’re facing,” concluded Dominick Sandford, managing director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect.
