Seven in 10 Yorkshire and Humberside Builders Say ‘Too Difficult’ to Talk to a Depressed Colleague

Yorkshire and Humberside builders score higher than the national average in admitting mental health struggles due to physical exhaustion at work and through bullying and harassment.

St John Ambulance is today launching the Hi Vis Stress Vest campaign to get builders to open up about their mental health, after new research reveals over two-thirds, 70% of construction workers in Yorkshire and Humberside (67% nationally), have suspected a fellow worker was suffering from serious depression – but found it too difficult to talk about.

The findings are released by the health charity as it announces a new face-to-face mental health first aid course to give workers the skills to spot hidden signs, start difficult conversations and create supportive environments at work.

The research showed nearly three in 10, 28%, of the Yorkshire and Humberside construction workforce (31% nationally) is currently struggling, overwhelmed or suicidal and 81% (82% nationally) have suffered a mental health issue at some point in their career.

But 33% in Yorkshire and Humberside (39% nationally) would rather quit their job than tell someone and 54% of Yorkshire and Humberside workers (71% nationally) admit to giving a false reason for taking time off due to poor mental health.

St John has produced limited edition Hi Vis Stress Vests to prompt mental health conversations that could save lives in construction and other sectors. On the back of each vest – being worn by celebrities including TV builder Tommy Walsh – is a statement revealing how construction workers might really be feeling behind the bravado. For example, “My debt keeps me awake at night” and “I’m always in pain but hide it.”

Although 65% of Yorkshire and Humberside research respondents (also 65% nationally) agree it is healthier to share struggles with stress, anxiety or depression, 44% (48% nationally) think they’ll lose the trust and respect of their colleagues if they don't put on a brave face; 19% (22% nationally) are too embarrassed and 9% (14% nationally) believe they’ll be laughed at.

More than half of builders in Yorkshire and Humberside, 58%, (50% nationally) say at home they’re nothing like the 'tough guy' persona they need to put on at work.

Lisa Sharman, national head of education and commercial training at St John Ambulance, says: 

“The Hi Vis Stress Vest aims to break down barriers and start conversations among groups of workers who find it difficult to talk about mental health. The construction sector has an alarming suicide rate and, as a charity that saves lives, we must try and change that.   

“Opening up to someone who’s ready to listen is a vital first step. Our research shows half of construction workers in Yorkshire and Humberside wished they could talk about mental health more easily and nearly half of them said they’d be more likely to talk to a trained mental health first aider.  

“So, we hope our campaign will also persuade more business leaders to invest in training their people up in mental health first aid – so they can spot hidden signs in their colleagues and step in to potentially save lives."

The 500 research respondents working in construction listed physical exhaustion, 46% (50% Yorkshire and Humberside), loneliness, 27% (18% Yorkshire and Humberside), bullying and harassment, 8% (12% Yorkshire and Humberside), and the need to maintain a tough guy image, 20% (9% Yorkshire and Humberside), among the causes of their mental health challenges. Nearly two-thirds, 63% (56% Yorkshire and Humberside), say colleagues know very little about their problems.

Tommy Walsh, TV builder, says: 

“I’ve worked in this industry for over 50 years and have seen first-hand the impact of mental health. For some reason, despite the fact we all know it is a major problem for the industry, we can’t seem to normalise talking about mental health. If we can do this through training, then we can save many more lives and create a safer working environment for all. It’s why this campaign matters”.

Wellbeing manager at construction giant BAM, Rhianwen Conron, recently used the Hi Vis Stress Vests at a session for 10 workers. She says: 

“The messages on the back of the vests are very powerful and proved to be effective conversation starters.

“I’m fully in support of this campaign. Anything that prompts our people to start opening up is valuable and having something physical to focus on, like these Hi Vis Stress Vests, is hugely helpful.

“I think every construction company should be training people to hold these kinds of wellbeing conversations.”

There is more information about the new campaign at https://sja.org.uk/hivis