Julia Shervington from Mates in Mind discusses issues surrounding men’s mental health in construction
Trigger warning: this article mentions suicide.
Men’s Health Week (organised by the Men’s Health Forum each year) is running from 9-15 June 2025. The week is designed to raise awareness of men’s health and to encourage all men to seek help to address any health concerns that they may be experiencing.
At Mates in Mind, we know that good health means being both mentally and physically well. We also know that the week will help to raise awareness, draw attention and expand understanding about the issues. However, it may not go far enough, or for long enough, to create lasting change.
Why we need to end the culture of silence
As the statistics below show, we have a persistent mental health crisis in the construction industry, and it is only when we overcome the stigma that surrounds mental health, that conversations about it will be normalised, as will seeking help when needed. Therefore, we need good mental health to be at the heart of every organisational culture, not just for one day, week or month a year, but every day, every week and every month of every year.
According to the Bupa Wellbeing Index:
- 43% of working British men are urging their employers to provide greater mental health support.
- 50% of men have struggled with mental health difficulties at some point, yet fewer than half have sought medical advice.
- 37% of UK men admit actively hiding their mental health issues from their partners.
- 65% of employees recognise that stigma around men’s mental health remains strong.
- Four in five suicides are by men, with suicide the biggest cause of death for men under 35.
- Provisional statistics show that 355 people working in construction and building trades died by suicide in England and Wales in 2024.
- 27% of construction workers experienced suicidal thoughts (at some point) and 58% experienced stress often (daily or weekly) in the past year.
- Between 2020 and 2023, there was a 24% increase in ‘deaths of despair’ – deaths attributed to alcohol, drugs, and suicide.
Please note that we are using the ‘statistics’ above to demonstrate the enormity of the situation, but behind these amalgamated numbers are thousands of impacted lives. The numbers can mask the individual experiences and people affected – those that turn to harmful coping strategies, those experiencing mental ill-health, those that feel suicide is the only solution – please know that it is not. In addition, the statistics represent those directly affected, but they do not include the impact on their family, friends, colleagues and communities.
Have you thought whether the people you’ve sat next to today may be experiencing mental ill-health?
Have you asked those you’ve spent time with recently if they are okay?
For too many (whatever their gender) coping strategies can often include, eating too much or too little; drinking alcohol to excess; taking non-prescription drugs; over exercising; spending more time online, gaming or gambling which increases social isolation; and increasing risk taking behaviours. But these actions, whilst perhaps providing short-term relief because they mask or distract you from the problem, are only a very temporary solution. In addition, the more we engage with negative coping strategies, the more they are likely to start impacting negatively on our physical health too, and a vicious circle begins: poor mental health – negative coping strategies – worsening physical health – deteriorating mental health, and so on. However, there is a solution, which is to address the root causes of mental ill-health and stop the negative cycle before a crisis point is reached.
At Mates in Mind, our focus is on working collaboratively with organisations to embed a proactive prevention strategy, which empowers employers to build a supportive workplace culture which creates positive mental health in and through work. Through educating all levels of the workforce (including supply chains), the aim is to reach and support employees before they begin to experience mental ill-health and to reduce the use of harmful coping strategies.
So why don’t men ask for help?
First, it is important to note that everyone has mental health. It can vary from good to poor and be anywhere in-between. It can fluctuate over an hour, day, week, year. It can be impacted by our work, past experiences, and our life outside work, often a mix of all three. So why then, does the stigma exist and persist, stopping men from seeking the support they need?
- Pride
- Stereotypes, out-dated perceptions or misconceptions – an inbuilt view of masculinity that men must be strong, courageous, independent, leaders, breadwinners, powerful, dominant, unemotional, stoic, in control, and not show weakness.
- Self-stigmatisation – feeling shame or guilt for experiencing mental ill-health and/or talking about it.
- Lack of positive role models within their networks – family, friends, community, organisations, media, social media and so on.
- Lack of proximity to support networks whilst working away from home.
- Lack of knowledge/education about what mental health is, how to spot the signs of ill-health or illness, how to start a conversation about it or signpost support if needed.
- Cultural – both in terms of work, for example, a ‘get on with it’ mentality, fear of being judged or rejected by others, the high pressure environment; and also sociocultural or religious barriers.
- Workforce dynamics in construction – predominantly male, ageing, transient or subcontracted workforce.
- Practical barriers on site – lack of private space, irregular schedules, lack of awareness.
- Language – what some might term ‘banter’, others may receive as bullying or shaming which reinforces the stigma. Using day-to-day language like ‘problem’, ‘struggle’, ‘crippling’ when referring to mental health, being told to ‘man up’ or ‘leave your problems at home’ all reinforce the culture of silence.
To a large extent, the stigma is rooted in social constructs, i.e., it has been created and is maintained by society (us), rather than being based on reality, truth or laws, therefore it is within our own power to dismantle it.
What can we do to address the stigma?
The truth is, talking about our personal experiences, be that mental, physical, emotional, work, financial, relationships etc. is a sign of strength, it demonstrates emotional intelligence. In the same way, when we are talking with someone about their experiences, actively listening and responding with empathy or sympathy (depending on your own experiences) sends a signal that you understand and are there to support them.
It would be naive to suggest that the solution is as simple as saying ‘we need to normalise conversations about, and seeking support for, mental ill-health’ and suddenly that is how we will all act. But if we think about the ‘male stereotype’, and in particular leadership and facing adversity, then this should not be a challenge we can, or should, step away from. And like with all things, it takes practice, speak to one trusted friend, colleague or family member first. If you find it too hard to open up whilst looking directly at the person, sit next to them, go for a walk, stand at a bar (that could be the pub, but also a coffee shop). Build your confidence through their response to you. In time, not only will you feel able to be open, but will be able to support those around you to do the same.
Use language that is positive, aspirational and which means something to the person you are speaking with, for example, through emphasising resilience, teamwork and personal growth it will help to make these conversations more accessible.
When we say, ‘normalise conversations’, that does not mean you need to start each conversation with ‘let’s talk about mental health’, it is more subtle than that. If the words ‘mental health’ are the reason why you, or your mates, are not speaking up, then simply asking how the other person is, what have they been up to, may make it less intimidating and enables people to respond more honestly. However, if we avoid speaking about ‘mental health’ altogether, that in itself will reinforce the stigma, making it something to keep quiet about. The solution here, is to find an approach that helps people to open up, but also ensuring that mental health becomes part of the discussion.
At Mates in Mind, we work with organisations to end the culture of silence and replace it with a culture of prevention, so that no one reaches crisis point. Here are some quick steps for addressing the stigma that may surround mental health in your workplace:
- Lead by example – this is not only about sharing your mental health experiences and encouraging others to do the same, but also about ensuring mental wellbeing is embedded in the organisation’s culture . Ensure there are policies in place with regard to mental health, as well as mental health provision, for example, through Mental Health First Aiders, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) etc.
- Education – ensure everyone has the skills, knowledge, tools and competence to build a safer workplace. Train your teams to spot the signs, start conversations and actively listen, as well as how to signpost further support. For managers, also train them to conduct individual risk assessments and empower them to make reasonable work adjustments if required and applicable.
- Stop – call out inappropriate behaviour like bullying, negative or stigmatised language etc.
- Reward – show appreciation and recognition, reward exemplar behaviours.
Conclusion
In this article we have aimed to demonstrate that the stigma that surrounds mental health is not founded in truth, and therefore there is no reason for it to persist. It is down to all of us to make positive change happen. We have shown how mental and physical health are interrelated and therefore it is important to take any illness in regard to either, seriously.
So, having read this article, what will you do differently?
If you are an employee, please speak to your line manager if this article has resonated with you. You may also be interested in reading our ‘How to optimise your mental wellbeing’ blogs: Search Results | Mates in Mind
If you are a contractor, SME or sole trader, it may be worth investigating whether your main contractor provides mental health support and if it can be extended to you.
If you are an employer, please speak to us about how you can build positive mental health in and through work. We work with organisations to provide the skills, clarity and confidence to raise awareness, improve understanding, implement effective interventions and address the stigma of mental ill-health. This includes empowering all workers (including those directly employed, as well as those working in supply chains) through providing them with the information, education and advice that develops their competence and confidence to look after their own and their colleagues’ mental health, so that no-one reaches crisis point and good mental health becomes everyone’s responsibility.
Find out more about our work in the construction sector: https://www.matesinmind.org/what-we-do/sector-specific-support/construction-industry
If you or someone you know is suffering, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652.
You can also use the “BeAMate” text support service by texting “BeAMate” to 85258. Trained volunteers can help with issues including anxiety, stress, loneliness or depression and are available 24/7.
In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.
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