The Association for Project Safety is campaigning throughout the UK to raise awareness of mental health issues, taking the campaign from Westminster to both Scottish and Welsh devolved governments
APS is campaigning throughout the UK to raise awareness of mental health in partnership with Mates in Mind and the Lighthouse Charity.
Both charities are dedicated to supporting the mental health of construction workers and help companies to access support services, training for mental health care, and foster a culture or support and openness.
Throughout the campaign, APS will take their message in the new year to The Senedd — the Welsh Government. The Senedd will see an event held by John Griffiths MS, a senior former Labour minister, before going on to Westminster to ensure the best clarity amongst officials about the issues at stake.
The campaign started with a launch event at the Scottish Parliament.
Over half of UK construction employees suffer from mental health issues
APS’ message shows that many construction workers are still unwilling to disclose their mental health issues, and thus a culture is engendered where workers do not seek support for mental health.
Conservative shadow cabinet secretary, Sue Webber MSP, said: “There are two construction related suicides every day, according to recent construction statistics in the UK published by HSC.
“It also cites they are more likely than the general working population to take their own life. Working in construction comes with intense pressure, tight contracts, long hours, time away from family and managing extremely tight budgets, so it’s little wonder workers in the sector are really feeling the strain.
Over half of UK employees, especially 50% of millennials, don’t talk about mental health issues, and this then creates a culture where many workers avoid seeking support that they need, and that further impacts their mental well-being. I wholeheartedly applaud what APS is doing to advocate mental health and wellbeing issues. We cannot afford to ignore these important factors.”
