Mental Health
We are committed to promoting good mental health and reducing mental ill health in the construction industry. To achieve this, we will promote and support mental health programmes and organisations who share our vision, which is to create a culture where there is no stigma surrounding mental ill health and where the root causes of the unsustainable pressures which may lead to mental ill health, are identified and eliminated.
Ultimately, the HCLG encourages construction employers to have in place a mental health programme which drives a culture of speaking up, and where design and construction programmes and workplace arrangements are implemented in such a way that the mental health and wellbeing of the workers is safeguarded and protected.
The HCLG has worked with Mates in Mind to develop an industry-wide framework and programme for construction employers to adopt in order to achieve this.
There are other mental health programmes available, and others in development - the HCLG commits to providing information about these programmes on this website as it becomes available, to ensure construction employers feel informed and empowered to adopt the programme which best suits their needs, and the needs of their workers
HCLG Mental Health Working Group
With cross-industry representation, the working group continues to focus on the principle of positive intervention and the creation of environments to prevent mental ill health but, importantly, proactively fostering positive mental health and wellbeing.
Fact:
According to the Centre for Mental Health (Mental Health at Work: Developing the business case (Sainsbury Centre, 2007), 91 million days are lost each year due to mental health problems. The Centre has calculated that the total cost to employers is estimated at nearly £26 billion each year – equivalent to £1,035 for every employee in the UK workforce. Taking simple steps to improve the management of mental health in the workplace should enable employers to save 30% or more of these costs a year.
Mental Health Resources:
Working Minds Campaign
The HSE's Working Minds campaign brings together a range of tools and support to help businesses and workers understand the best ways to prevent work-related stress and encourage good mental health.
HSE is inviting business and organisations across the nation to support its campaign and become Working Minds Champions. Read more here.
Watch Recent CECA webinars on mental health
‘Prevention is better than cure’
‘Build Back Fairer: Time to think Differently’
Mates in mind aims to provide clear information to employers on available support and guidance on mental health, mental illness and mental wellbeing, and how they can address this within their organisations.
