This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and that means it’s time to talk about mental health and construction. We caught up with Beverley Peace, Group Compliance Director at HB Projects, who is on a mission to create a culture of openness and honesty when it comes to health and well-being.
“When you look at the statistics and see that construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than they are to die from falling from height, it’s clear that we need to address the issue of mental health-related stigma in the industry and do the right thing by creating safe spaces and opportunities for employees to talk to each other about a difficult time they might be going through.”
The journey at HB Projects started with the annual Stop. Make a Change day, when all employees downed tools and spent the day discussing wellbeing. This included workshops on how to manage time to reduce stress, approach a colleague who has been behaving differently, and even a talk by former professional footballer Martin Pemberton (pictured), who talked to staff about his experience of depression. The aim of the day was to give staff the tools to be resilient in stressful or difficult times, and better understand and recognise the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
This day of action sparked the conversation, and empowered staff to continue driving for positive change. For example, some employees attend a local branch of Andy’s Man Club, a network of support groups across the UK open to men who need a space to share their concerns, troubles or worries, and which was set up by Andy’s mother and brother in law, after he died by suicide. The whole company has got behind the charity, and organised a fundraising challenge to cover 4,500 miles to raise £4,500 – one for each life lost to suicide each year.
These actions have created a culture shift at HB Projects, as staff now feel able to request time off when they need it for mental health-related reasons. They also have 27 trained mental health first aiders who are on hand across the business to support someone who needs an ear.
Beverley wanted to see how HB Projects was doing in the wellbeing arena, and understand what more they could do, so she turned to Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index. Beverley listed the steps they had taken, and surveyed staff about how well supported they felt, and was delighted to receive a Silver award. By participating in this, they are making a long-term commitment to supporting the mental wellbeing of their staff.
Beverley (pictured) concluded: “My biggest challenge for the year ahead will be to make sure all our line managers are fully trained and able to support their teams. I also want to make sure that our wellbeing champions, and Mental Health First Aiders, are supported in the demanding roles they carry out.”
If you are suffering, it’s never too early to seek help. Your GP can help you, and CALM offers free advice on the phone or webchat about how to talk to your Doctor. You can also try other supports like the Samaritans or the Construction Industry Helpline, who provide emotional and financial support to the construction community.
