New digital training that aims to increase awareness and reduce suicide among sole traders and self-employed construction workers is launched ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10).
This prevention-focused digital training has been designed to address the challenges of this hard-to-reach group of construction workers who are often most at risk of mental ill-health and who might otherwise be unable to engage with mental health interventions.
Nearly two thirds of construction workers regularly experience stress, and half experience anxiety. Most concerningly, research by the Chartered Institute of Building showed that nearly a third of construction workers have experienced thoughts of suicide at some point. This underpins the harsh reality that the risk of suicide for workers in construction in this country is at 3.7 times higher than the national average.
While working in construction provides many with great opportunities, the statistics regarding the mental health of those working in this critical sector are the reason Mates in Mind, in partnership with the Baton of Hope, developed this suicide prevention training. Mates in Mind is a partner of The Royal Foundation's National Suicide Prevention Network, a four nations initiative launched last year to strengthen access, collaboration and innovation across suicide prevention.
Mates in Mind's research found that the mental health of self-employed construction workers, and those working in small firms, show that intense workloads, financial problems, poor work-life balance, and pressures on the supply of materials, are combining to significantly raise stress and anxiety to severe levels.
After advocating for a prevention approach to mental health since 2017, this training, which consists of two modules (suicide awareness and suicide prevention), is part of a comprehensive package to increase mental health literacy, improve help seeking, and end the stigma of mental ill-health. These three interventions are important elements in reducing the mental health risks identified in the ‘Support Factors Hazard' of the Construction Leadership Council's new Mental Health in Construction Joint Code of Practice.
Samantha Downie, Managing Director, Mates in Mind said: "By training workers to recognise the signs of mental ill-health, as well as when someone might be experiencing thoughts of suicide, in both themselves and those working around them, it will empower workers with the skills and confidence to start conversations and signpost support before someone reaches crisis point. And this is at the heart of our charitable mission: supporting organisations, whatever their size, in higher risk sectors to create environments and cultures that promote positive mental health because everyone matters."
The Department for Work and Pensions found that only 21% of SMEs provide training for line managers on ways to improve employees' health and wellbeing, compared to 76% of large employers. While smaller businesses often have less capacity to offer this kind of training there has been encouraging evidence among the SMEs that have been able to provide such training, with 79% reporting its effectiveness in preventing employee ill health.
The SME Wellbeing Index found that cost was a primary hurdle, impacting 33% of SMEs, while for 18%, a lack of internal resources and time was a more challenging barrier.
This new digital-first training is free to access, and as such it is not restricted to those that can afford it, and the modules can be accessed by any member of the team, anywhere, at any time, via a mobile phone or laptop.
Co-founder of the Baton of Hope, Mike McCarthy, said: "The focus on physical safety over many years has brought about significant improvements and undoubtedly saved lives. This initiative aims to do the same for mental wellbeing and psychological safety. Workers will learn how to maintain their own mental fitness and to recognise how to identify workmates who may be feeling suicidal. Many people are uncertain or afraid when it comes to helping others who may be going through emotional trauma. There should be no mystery about this. Learning about how to deal with it might well save someone else's life or even your own."
The free training can be accessed at Mates in Mind.
