The charity has launched new digital training to both raise awareness of, and work to reduce suicide rates in the industry
The construction suicide prevention training is being launched ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.
The training primarily addresses challenges faced by sole traders and self-employed construction workers.
Construction workers among the most at risk of suicide
Nearly two thirds of construction workers experience stress, and half experience anxiety. Furthermore, nearly a third have experience thoughts of suicide at some point, according to the Chartered Institute of Building.
Construction workers, especially self-employed construction workers and those in small firms, frequently face high workloads, financial issues, and poor work-life balance, and in recent times, material supply problems and project pressures.
Because of this, as noted by the ONS, construction workers in the UK are at 3.7 times higher than the national average.
It is in this context that Mates in Mind have developed their suicide prevention training in partnership with Baton of Hope. Only 21% of SMEs provide suicide prevention training for line managers, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Karen Hodgson, associate director at The Royal Foundation, said: “This initiative is an excellent example of how collaboration can drive meaningful change. We are proud to support two of the National Suicide Prevention Network partners as they work together to create and deliver this innovative training. Improving awareness and education around mental health and suicide prevention are important aims of the network. This work will make a real difference to those working in such a critical sector.”
The first free training for SMEs
Smaller businesses often find that their budget does not stretch to be able to afford critical training like this, and so Mates in Mind are making theirs free to access, and digital, means that finance and location do not prevent workers from undertaking the training.
Samantha Downie, managing director, Mates in Mind, explained: “By training workers to recognise the signs of mental ill-health, as well as when someone might be experiencing thoughts of suicide, in both themselves and those working around them, it will empower workers with the skills and confidence to start conversations and signpost support before someone reaches crisis point. And this is at the heart of our charitable mission: supporting organisations, whatever their size, in higher risk sectors to create environments and cultures that promote positive mental health because everyone matters.”
Co-founder of the Baton of Hope, Mike McCarthy, added: “The focus on physical safety over many years has brought about significant improvements and undoubtedly saved lives. This initiative aims to do the same for mental wellbeing and psychological safety. Workers will learn how to maintain their own mental fitness and to recognise how to identify workmates who may be feeling suicidal. Many people are uncertain or afraid when it comes to helping others who may be going through emotional trauma. There should be no mystery about this. Learning about how to deal with it might well save someone else’s life or even your own.”
The training can be accessed on the Mates in Mind website here.
The British Standards Institution has been developing a new standard for preventing suicide in the built environment. More information can be found here.
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