Trevor Steven, CEO of Mindflow and former Everton, Rangers and England footballer, discusses his new initiative to tackle mental health in construction
It’s an honour to lead Mindflow, a charity born from a shared purpose: to save lives in the construction industry through the influence of football. Both worlds are part of my story. Both are made up of proud, hard-working people who give their all. And both face the same, often unspoken challenge – mental health.
When I look back on my football career, I think of a fresh-faced lad from Berwick-upon-Tweed, pulling on the Burnley shirt for the first time in 1980. The terraces were packed, the tackles hard, the camaraderie fierce. Later came Everton, Rangers and England, an incredible journey filled with pride, pressure and purpose. But there was something we didn’t talk about then — how we felt.
Then and now
Back in the 1980s, football was built on strength, stoicism and silence. You got on with the job. No one wanted to appear weak. Mental health just wasn’t a conversation we had.
That same “stiff upper lip” culture still runs deep in construction. Men (and it mostly is men) take pride in graft, push through pain, and rarely ask for help. It’s the backbone of Britain. But it’s also, too often, a silent killer.
Thankfully, the world is changing. In sport, in business, in society, we’re learning that opening up isn’t weakness; it’s courage. And that same shift is urgently needed across construction.
The scale of the challenge
According to Mind, one in four people experiences a mental health problem every year. Suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 45. Those numbers are shocking enough — but they’re worse in construction. Research shows that two construction workers take their own lives every working day.
Behind every statistic is a story. A colleague, a friend, a father. Lives cut short, families torn apart. That’s why I said yes when Causeway Technologies, a company determined to improve mental health in construction, founded Mindflow earlier this year. Our mission is simple: to improve mental health standards, start conversations, and make sure no one faces their struggles alone.
Launching Mindflow
We launched Mindflow at the National Football Museum in Manchester, a fitting venue for a movement that connects football’s influence with construction’s resilience.
Our ambassadors — Manchester City legend Paul Lake and David White, along with Tottenham’s Paul Stewart, joined me for an evening celebrating unity and purpose.
Since then, I’ve travelled across the country, listening and learning. Alongside Causeway, we surveyed over 1,400 construction workers. The results were stark:
- Over 50% said they’d struggled with their mental health.
- 2 in 5 reported anxiety.
- 1 in 3 said they’d faced depression.
- 1 in 8 admitted to suicidal thoughts.
Perhaps most troubling of all, 4 in 5 said they were coping alone — unseen, unsupported, and unheard.
Mental health in construction: The hidden cost
Construction is a proud, skilled profession. But the same drive that keeps projects moving, such as pressure, performance, and deadlines, also takes its toll.
The Government’s target of 1.5m new homes by 2029 is ambitious and vital. But we can’t meet those goals if we ignore the people building them. Physical safety and mental safety must go hand in hand. They’re not just competing priorities, but shared responsibilities.
Our survey found that 86% of workers want someone on-site focused on well-being. That’s a message the industry cannot afford to ignore.
Wellbeing isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Football: The bridge to better conversations
When we asked construction workers about football, two-thirds said they were passionate fans. Over half said they’d be more likely to seek help if their football club offered it. That’s the bridge Mindflow builds, using football’s universal appeal to break down walls and open conversations.
Football brings people together. It teaches teamwork, resilience, and honesty. When high-profile figures in football speak about their own struggles, it reaches people who might otherwise never talk.
Our Mindflow Ambassadors, well-known former professionals who’ve lived those experiences, help us spread that message across sites, clubs, and communities. When one person opens up, others follow.
The Mindflow Mental Health Charter
In September, we launched the Mindflow Mental Health Charter in Liverpool, supported by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Baroness Berger, former Shadow Minister for Mental Health.
The Charter challenges companies to treat mental well-being as seriously as physical safety. Ten measurable principles provide a roadmap for real, lasting change.
At the launch, I said: “We want all construction companies to treat every worker’s mental health with the same seriousness as their physical safety. Because wellbeing isn’t optional – it’s essential.”
That’s our vision, a future where every site has safety boots, hard hats, and mental health champions too.
Match-Up sessions: Changing the culture
Our Match-Up sessions bring Mindflow’s message directly to construction sites. These are face-to-face talks featuring footballers sharing their mental health journeys.
At VolkerStevin’s Preston office, I joined former England and Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who bravely opened up about anxiety, depression, and addiction. You could’ve heard a pin drop. Afterwards, workers stayed to talk over pizza and honest conversation.
We’ve held sessions with David White and Paul Lake at Domis Construction and Jason McAteer at Persimmon Homes. Each one makes a difference. People recognise their own experiences in those stories. That’s how stigma starts to crumble.
Thanks to Christopher Ward, the UK’s largest watch brand, whose support funds our North West Match Up programme, we’ll be bringing many more sessions to sites through 2026.
Looking forward
As we move towards 2026, our mission remains crystal clear: reach more people, break more barriers, and make mental health a cornerstone of safety culture in construction.
November’s Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, National Stress Awareness Day, and Anti-Bullying Week are vital moments, but for Mindflow, every day is a day to talk.
At the end of the day, we can’t afford to fail. Because one person struggling with their mental health is one too many.
One Team, One Goal.
Football taught me that the best teams aren’t just about talent, they’re about trust. The same applies to construction. Look out for your teammates. Speak up when something’s wrong. Support each other through the tough days.
That’s what Mindflow is here for. Together, we can change the culture, save lives, and build a future where mental health matters as much as the structures we create.
Because when football and construction come together for good, we’re unstoppable.
To sign up for a Match-Up or register for the Charter, please visit www.mindflow.charity.
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