Mental Health

It is estimated that 1 in 6 people will experience some form of mental health concern while they are at work, and that 30% to 40% of absences from work are caused by mental health concerns. In fact, HSE estimates that over 11 million days are lost at work each year because of stress at in the workplace. Sadly, in the UK suicide kills far more workers than falls in the construction industry, while suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 50 in the UK (source: Samaritans).

Mental health concerns can menifest in many ways, the links below take you to support services should you be worried about your own mental health, or to guidance if you are a manager or employer trying to understand your role in creating mentally healthy work environments or you are worried about a colleague’s mental wellbeing. British Precast and our Product groups work closely with a number of organisation to provide both resources and information about recognising the signs of mental health struggles:

Resources and Information

Find links to information to support supervisors, managers and employers:

Mates In Mind

Mates In Mind is a registered charity, which aims to help the construction industry to attain a healthier future by raising awareness, by addressing the stigma of poor mental health and byimproving positive mental well-being in the construction industry.

Mates In Mind has an ambitious goal – to reach 100,000 workers in its first year and by 2025 to have reached 75% of the construction industry.

It is led by and for the industry in partnership with the Health in Construction Leadership Group and British Safety Council, as well as with other leading organisations and charities such as Mind, Samaritans and Mental Health First Aid England. Mates in Mind helps to make sense of available options and support to employers.

Mental Health First Aid England

MHFA has worked with employers in the private, public, education and armed forces sectors for ten years delivering mental health training to meet their needs. Its training and consultancy is intended to support people to manage wellbeing proactively and minimise the impact of mental ill health on work and life. MHFA training courses teach people to spot the symptoms of mental health issues, offer initial help and guide a person towards support.

MIND

The team at the leading mental health charity Mind can provide information on a range of topics including types of mental health problem, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments. The charity publishes booklets on a variety of topics, typically comprising around 30 pages of comprehensive information. Examples of some of its more popular titles are:

How to be mentally healthy at work
How to manage stress
Understanding mental health problems
The Mind guide to seeking help for a mental health problem

The booklets can be downloaded for free here.

SHIFT

Shift was the Department of Health’s programme to reduce the stigma and discrimination directed towards people with mental health problems. In partnership with the Department of Health, Department for Work and Pensions, Health and Safety Executive and Health Work Wellbeing Shift produced a booklet as part of Shift’s ‘Action on Stigma’. The booklet is titled Line Managers’ Resource - A practical guide to managing and supporting people with mental health problems in the workplace. It can be downloaded from here.

HSE

HSE has produced guidance on how to manage work-related stress and so protect your employees

Support for Individuals

Many of us need a little help sometimes. There are several organisations and charities that offer a range of help and support for a variety of issues ranging from occupational health and mental wellbeing to emergency financial aid and debt management matters.

Help and support is available from:

Samaritans

Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Contact Hours: Anytime

The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like – whatever you're going through, call free any time from any phone. You don't have to be suicidal to call.

Construction Industry Helpline

Call: 0345 605 1956
Contact Hours: Anytime

Provided by the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and supported by the Considerate Constructors Scheme, the helpline provides a 24/7 safety net for all construction workers and their families in the UK and Ireland. It is a charitable service funded by the industry, for the industry and provides:

Emergency financial aid to construction families in crisis
Advice on occupational health and mental well-being
Support on legal, tax and debt management matters

MIND

Call: 0300 123 3393
Text: 86463
Contact Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 to 18:00

The team at the mental health charity Mind can provide information on a range of topics including types of mental health problem, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Call: 0800 58 58 58 (Nationwide) or 0808 802 58 58 (London)
Webchat: Webchat
Contact Hours: Any day 17:00 to 24:00

CALM provides a helpline for men in the UK who need to talk or find information and support. CALM also offers a webchat service between the same hours as its telephone service.

Prevention of Young Suicide - Papyrus

Call: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07786 209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Contact Hours: Weekdays 10:00 to 22:00, weekends and bank holidays 14:00 to 22:00

Papyrus provides confidential help and advice to young people and anyone worried about a young person. Their HOPELineUK service is staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to; children, teenagers and people up to the age of 35.

British Precast and our Product groups are always available to provide support through our links to various charities and points of assistance, but should you need immediate help call Samaritans on 116 123, their lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.