Mental health support that lasts: moving beyond awareness
Mental Health Awareness Week matters – especially in construction. It shines a light on a challenging, often hidden issue, and reminds us all to check in, speak up, and pay attention. But once the posters come down and the week is over, it's easy to slip back into the usual rhythm of site life. Early starts, tight deadlines, and the push to "crack on" take over again. That's where the real risk lies.
Why construction needs more than campaigns
For most firms, it's not a lack of care – the everyday pressures of site life make it hard to follow through. Mental health in construction isn't just shaped by stigma – it's influenced by how sites run, how teams are resourced, and how tight things get when deadlines bite – these day-to-day realities make mental health harder to manage:
- Tight margins and project deadlines
- Skilled labour shortages and retention pressures
- Long travel times, early starts
- Delays, material costs, constant rescheduling – it all adds up
Together, these pressures take a toll. A culture that sees "just get on with it" as strength only makes things harder to talk about. The impact of problems builds until they're harder to fix.
Many firms don't have an HR department. Some don't even have an office. So, it's easy for issues to go unspoken and unresolved.
The statistics are hard to ignore
- 775,000 UK workers experienced work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in the past year¹
- In construction, the suicide risk is four times the national average²
And it's not always absence you notice – sometimes it's people turning up but not really switched on.
From awareness to action: what helps in the real world
You don't need to overhaul your business – just start with what's already in your control, especially when you make it part of your everyday routine. Here are five things any contracting business could start doing:
- Start with a 'How's things?' – A quick check-in at the start of the day can go a long way. No pressure – just a friendly sign that someone's there and interested.
- Lead by example – When managers take breaks, use their holidays properly, and avoid long hours when it's not essential, it shows that wellbeing isn't just talk – it's part of how the business works.
- Make it okay to speak up – When people know they won't be judged or punished for raising an issue – mental, physical, or financial – they're more likely to do so early.
- Check in after absence – If someone's been off, don't just hand them a task list. Ask how they are. Give them time to settle back in.
- Show what's already in place – If your firm offers Private Medical Insurance through ECIS, it's worth reminding your team what's included.
What ECIS members can offer
Through ECIS, many firms already give their teams access to private support without waiting or paperwork. The scheme offers real support for mental wellbeing – but it only works if people know about it and feel comfortable using it.
- Up to 45 days of in-patient mental health treatment
- Fast-track access to private specialists
- 24/7 GP and wellbeing app
- Confidential support – no need to go through a manager
- Addiction recovery programmes, subject to clinical approval
A reminder that sticks
If you're already part of the ECIS PMI Scheme, Mental Health Awareness Week is a great time to bring the benefit back into view:
- Put a poster up in the canteen
- Mention it during onboarding
- Bring it up at a team meeting
You don't need to launch a campaign. Just remind people that it's there – and that it's okay to use it.
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[2]: Mates in Mind – Mental health in UK construction: the statistics
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