Operations lead at Southern Construction Framework, Kingsley Clarke, examines how the construction industry is using technology to challenge the mental health crisis
The construction sector plays a significant role in the UK economy, with the gross value added (GVA) of the industry amounting to almost £128.9bn in 2022 and with 1.4m people employed across the UK last year.
However, the sector also has high levels of poor mental health, with data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) finding that workers in construction are some of the highest at risk of suicide in the country, 3.7 times higher than the national average.
Why is there such a crisis of mental health in construction?
Construction work comes with unique pressures, including time spent working away from home and tight contracts.
There is currently also added cost pressures impacting supply chains, leading to heavier workloads as companies are forced to cut down on resource. Payment terms can also differ widely across the sector, which can lead to greater instability and job security.
Employers are therefore increasingly recognising that the mental health of their staff should be a priority. The failure to address it poses a threat to both the health and safety of employees as mistakes can arise due to mental health struggles, leading to possible accidents and injuries.
While traditional methods of mental health support are still valuable, including the training of managers to notice the signs of poor mental health, digital tools and tech are playing an increasingly important role in supporting people.
So, what are the emerging digital interventions that can be used to support mental health and why are these so important for the construction industry in a time of crisis?
The rise of online platforms and telehealth
In the past few years, there has been a rise in the use of mental health apps, digital tools and support lines tailored for construction workers.
Lighthouse is a charity which aims to support the mental wellbeing of people in construction, and several SCF contractors work closely with them. It has recently launched a campaign where people can ‘check in’ online before accessing a range of resources, providing practical tips and advice on how to manage their symptoms.
Mental health apps can also be brought in to support workers. Through these, people can access CBT programmes and other tools such as in-app therapy. This can be more accessible and discreet for people who might not feel comfortable speaking openly about their struggles in a face-to-face setting.
Some of these online tools also include crisis escalation channels, where users can be triaged through to mental health practitioners.
Online learning tools can also be used such as SCF contractor Willmott Dixon’s ‘Alone not Lonely’ e-learning resource produced as part of its All Safe Minds campaign, that looks at ways to overcome feelings of loneliness.
“The construction sector still has a lot of work to do”
When I asked Mark French, chief health, safety & environmental officer at Willmott Dixon, about the company’s focus on mental health, he said:
“The construction sector still has a lot of work to do – especially when it comes to the age-old problem of getting men to talk about how they feel – but we are all taking proactive steps to address this.
“Our 300 mental health first aiders, backed up by digital resources, help tackle head-on the challenge of maintaining good mental health in construction.”
Galliford Try is also a sponsoring partner for Lighthouse’s ‘Help Inside the Hard Hat’ campaign which aims to raise awareness of mental wellbeing issues in the industry, and gives employees, their families and supply chain partners access to a 24hr call/text helpline.
These digital platforms provide anonymity and can be accessed at the convenience of the user, appealing to those who may be reluctant to ask for help from colleagues in the first instance.
How wearable tech can help prevent mental health issues
The use of worker wearables in construction is becoming increasingly common. They can be used to monitor a person’s heart rate for signs of fatigue and stress, or alert them to potential hazards, as well as allow people to send an alert for help when needed.
In 2020, SCF contractor Willmott Dixon trialled the use of the Moodbeam One wristband which allows people and supply chain partners to share how they’re feeling throughout the day.
Wearable technology can also be used to alert workers to exposure to chemicals. A report by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) recommended that the use of notifications can address airborne threats and make workers aware when limits reach dangerous levels. Modern Health & Safety in construction is inextricably linked to good mental health and wellbeing, so by ensuring people’s working environments are safe to work in, this will ensure people’s mental health remains resilient.
Promoting mental health awareness and education
Internal communications has a vital role to play in ensuring people get access to the right support. Proactive measures companies can take include planning internal communications campaigns around mental health at work. This could involve sending anonymous wellness surveys to employees to ensure they have a voice in terms of the support they would like to see rolled out. Firms should also consider organising virtual events or webinars to support employees who may not have the time to attend in person.
Showcasing material to staff such as BAM’s suicide prevention video is also a powerful way to engage people and is a tool we would recommend teams to share at in person events or via email to help encourage people to talk about how they are feeling.
What is vitally important above all is to ensure people do not feel isolated in their roles. With almost half (47%) of construction workers in the UK say they feel loneliness in the workplace, it’s important that conversations are regularly ignited around workplace wellbeing.
While traditional forms of mental health support such as training, organising workshops and placing signage in the workplace are all still vital, technology can help bridge the gap and ensure wellbeing support is as accessible as possible and tailored to the individual.
Making all these tools available on a day-to-day basis not only shows a commitment to the mental health of employees, but it also goes a long way to engendering a culture where seeking support for mental health is normalised. By making it a part of everyday conversation between people, we can encourage workers in construction to also support each other.
Kingsley Clarke
Southern Construction Framework
