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A national builders’ charity has stepped up its support for construction workers following a five-year rise in suicide rates within the industry.
According to data from Glasgow Caledonian University’s Built Environment Asset Management Centre, the suicide rate among construction workers increased to 33.82 per 100,000 in 2021, up from 25.52 per 100,000 in 2015.
The Band of Builders (BoB) has launched a free mental health and wellbeing platform made possible by the Big Brew campaign to tackle this mental health crisis. The platform, in partnership with Spectrum.Life, aims to provide support for workers and their families facing mental health challenges.
Peter Cape, Big Brew lead at BoB, said, “The BEAM data is distressing – especially when you compare it to all other professions, where the suicide rate is 9.14 per 100,000. That’s why the Big Brew came about: to raise awareness of the mental health crisis.”
Construction workers can access the service through self-referral on the charity’s website. Confidential counselling is available via freephone, live chat, WhatsApp, SMS, or a callback.
The new platform expands on BoB’s existing counselling service, providing a more comprehensive approach to mental health support. Cape explained, “Since [launching our counselling service], we have looked at ways to improve the service by providing a more holistic approach because it’s important that people are able to get interventions earlier or address some of the issues that are contributing towards their mental health issues.”
The Volunteer Assistance Programme supports individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, relationship issues, and financial problems. Services include counselling, legal and financial information, career guidance, and life coaching.
Cape emphasised the importance of addressing mental health issues early, stating, “It’s best summed up by the old tradesperson’s van analogy: if the van is serviced on a regular basis, then it will be reliable and go on for miles, but if it’s not serviced, then the chances of it breaking down increase.”
To access the new platform service, visit https://bandofbuilders.org/pages/wellbeing-support and click on the Wellbeing Service for more information and a self-referral form.
