A new suicide prevention training programme aims to prevent further loss of life within the construction industry
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland and Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) have joined forces to create a new suicide prevention in construction programme tailored to the Scottish construction industry.
The project, ‘Suicide Prevention in Construction Training’, has been made possible by £239,000 in funding awarded by CITB’s Industry Impact Fund (IIF).
Vanessa Freeman, CITB head of grant & funding products, said: “The industry still has a lot of stigma and too often people in construction feel like they can’t talk about their mental health issues.
“It’s imperative we improve the poor understanding of mental health in the industry because suicide prevention isn’t just a wellbeing issue – it’s an industry responsibility.”
Construction industry four times more likely to experience suicide
Initiatives like this are more important than ever, with statistics showing that construction workers are four times more likely to die by suicide than any other profession.
Participant feedback during development has been consistently positive, with an average satisfaction rating of 96%, demonstrating that the training is relevant, high-quality, and delivers meaningful impact across the construction sector.
Suicide Prevention in Construction Training is designed specifically for the unique pressures faced by construction workers, equipping companies and individuals with the tools necessary to identify colleagues facing mental health challenges and provide meaningful support.
Breaking stigma to help advance suicide prevention in construction
It’s currently available to individuals and companies across Scotland, and overall, the project has made a strong start, with a clear pathway for continued growth and impact as it embeds itself in a wider cultural shift towards improving mental health and wellbeing in construction.
Kevin Urquhart, construction director at Barrett and David Wilson Homes, commented: “Everyone involved in the project believes this to be an important step towards breaking down the long-standing stigma around this issue across the industry.
“We can all say that we want to progress things, but without funding and without the support of someone like CITB within the industry, I don’t think the project would have got off the ground.”
The initiative includes practical role‑specific training and resources tailored to the realities of construction work. Focusing specifically on:
- Breaking stigma and encouraging open conversations
- Helping colleagues recognise warning signs
- Building confidence to have safe, supportive conversations
- Providing clear pathways to support and post‑incident care
Equipping companies with the right tools to support worker’s mental health
The initiative is being delivered by the SAMH training platform, ensuring both companies and individuals are equipped with the tools and resources needed to support and identify colleagues who could be struggling with mental health challenges.
The official launch of the training took place at the CITB conference in Perth in Autumn 2025, providing a significant platform to showcase the offer to a wide audience of industry professionals.
The training is rolling out over two years, with the programme piloting within Barratt Homes and then expanding to other CITB member organisations. The longer-term view is to scale across the wider construction industry.
CITB’s long-standing position on supporting suicide prevention in construction
CITB is vocal about the need for greater access to mental health support in the construction industry. Last year, CITB partnered with the NHS Wales Suicide Prevention and Self Harm Programme to roll out a campaign across construction sites in Wales that raises awareness of suicide and signposts people to support that is available.
CITB’s Industry Impact Fund launched in April 2023 and is the first fund of its kind. It gives employers the power to design and develop training solutions that don’t already exist – ensuring they are scalable, sustainable, and make a lasting impact.
Find out more about CITB’s Industry Impact Fund, and how to apply, on the CITB website.
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