PBC Today sat down with Andrew Kitley, founder and MD of Kitall, to discuss his experience with mental health and how it should be treated in the industry
As discussed by Mates in Mind last month, suicide is most prevalent in the construction sector being 3.7 times higher than the national average.
Last month was World Suicide Prevention Day, and today is World Mental Health Day. Andrew Kitley answers questions and discusses his experiences with mental health struggles.
1. Mental health has become one of the most pressing issues in construction. From your perspective, how widespread is the problem across the sector?
It is more widespread than many realise. Construction is still a largely male workforce, and many men grow up without being encouraged to talk about how they feel, which can make speaking up at work feel risky. Office environments often have clearer avenues for open conversations, while on site the culture and setting are different, so the same approaches do not always land.
2. Do you feel there is still a stigma around mental health in construction, and how can leaders help break that down?
The stigma has reduced a lot, and the industry has made real progress. Where we can go further is in how support is delivered. Traditional sit down therapy does not work for everyone. Many men open up more in shoulder to shoulder settings, doing an activity together, building something, or playing sport while talking. Leaders can champion a mix of options so people can choose what feels natural.
3. Why do you think construction, in particular, sees higher levels of stress, anxiety and suicide than other industries?
Much of it is structural. Margins are tight, programmes are compressed, and there is pressure on site teams to deliver the impossible. We should be proud of the UK’s strong health and safety standards, but the compliance and administrative load adds to the day to day strain. None of this is about lowering standards, it is about recognising the cumulative pressure on the people doing the work.
3. What role should senior leadership play in setting the tone for open conversations around mental health?
Leadership sets the weather. The most effective thing senior figures can do is model the behaviour, share appropriately, listen actively, and make it clear that asking for help will not count against anyone. Many great initiatives in our industry have been championed by women, and we also need visible buy in from male leaders so everyone sees this as an all of us priority, not a side project.
4. What practical steps can construction firms take to provide meaningful support?
Lead by example and create safe, judgement free ways to talk, on site and off. Offer multiple routes, confidential counselling or EAP, peer groups, shoulder to shoulder sessions, trained mental health first aiders, and manager training. Give people time in the working day to use these resources. Digital options help too, and some colleagues find AI based check ins or guided journalling a useful first step.
5. Is more collaboration needed across the sector, from clients to contractors to suppliers, to tackle the mental health crisis more effectively?
Yes, and we should also recognise the wider cultural context. In the UK we can be slow to embrace therapy, whereas other countries treat it as proactive maintenance. If clients, contractors, and the supply chain normalise support, through shared campaigns, case studies, and requirements in tenders, we will shift the conversation from crisis response to everyday practice.
6. Looking ahead, what cultural or structural changes are needed so mental health is treated with the same priority as physical safety?
Treat time for mental health like time for safety, plan it into programmes, do not expect people to do it in their own time. Build flexibility where possible, train supervisors to spot issues early, and measure what works. If therapy still feels intimidating for some, start with shoulder to shoulder sessions to help people open up. Make it routine, practical, and part of how we work.
The post Why mental health in construction must be treated with the same priority as safety on site appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
