We are very proud to be assisting the University of Surrey on a research project into mental health in construction, and we need your help!
Construction workers are invited to complete a short online survey, exploring their preferences for seeking help for mental health problems. Some participants may also be invited for interviews to discuss their experiences and beliefs about accessing therapy. Those wishing to participate must be over the age of 18, live in the UK and speak fluent English.
It is open to any construction worker, whether they have had mental health problems or not, and regardless of whether they would be willing to seek help or not.
To take part in the survey, please use this QR code and follow the instructions. Please also share this with anyone who works in the industry.
The research is being led by:
Sophie Smith
Trainee Clinical Psychologist (Cohort 52)
University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH
Sophie says…
Mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety are prevalent in the construction industry [1] with suicide rates among construction workers three times higher than the UK national average [2]. Working long hours, managing the conflict between work and family roles and financial insecurity are among some of the factors that contribute to poor mental health of workers [3, 4]. Despite this, construction workers are reluctant to seek help [5], causing the mental health crisis in the construction industry to prevail. A number of barriers, such as the potential stigma, the risk of job or financial loss, having a lack of awareness of symptoms and a perception that seeking support is a sign of weakness [6, 7], have been cited as preventing construction workers from getting help, but the context of mental wellbeing in the UK construction industry continues to evolve. Recent challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic have added new layers of complexity, though there’s a growing movement to introduce mental health first aid training in workplaces, opening an avenue of support.
Emerging research suggests that those in the industry prefer informal over formal sources of help, such as seeking support through friends and family instead of specialist services [8]. However, there remains a significant knowledge gap about how these workers make decisions regarding mental health support and what they truly want from help services.
There is also little understood about construction workers’ attitudes towards accessing therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a treatment option that is offered for common mental health problems through the NHS.
By improving research in this area, we can understand the barriers that construction workers face when experiencing mental health problems, what their considerations are when deciding to access help, and identify what is the most effective support. This knowledge is crucial for developing meaningful, accessible mental health resources that can truly make a difference in this challenging industry.
References:
- Blair Winkler, R., Middleton, C., & Remes, O. (2024, February). A Review on the Prevalence of Poor Mental Health in the Construction Industry. In Healthcare (Vol. 12, No. 5, p. 570). MDPI.
- Chapman, J., Roche, A. M., Duraisingam, V., Phillips, B., Finnane, J., & Pidd, K. (2020). Exploring the relationship between psychological distress and likelihood of help seeking in construction workers: The role of talking to workmates and knowing how to get help 1. Work, 67(1), 47-54.
- Duncan, M., Bansal, D., & Cooke, E. (2024). Help-seeking intentions of UK construction workers: a cross-sectional study. Occupational Medicine, kqae007.
- Eyllon, M., Vallas, S. P., Dennerlein, J. T., Garverich, S., Weinstein, D., Owens, K., & Lincoln, A. K. (2020). Mental health stigma and wellbeing among commercial construction workers: a mixed methods study. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 62(8), e423-e430.
- Langdon, R. R., & Sawang, S. (2018). Construction workers’ well-being: What leads to depression, anxiety, and stress?. Journal of construction engineering and management, 144(2), 04017100.
- Newaz, M. T., Giggins, H., & Ranasinghe, U. (2022). A critical analysis of risk factors and strategies to improve mental health issues of construction workers. Sustainability, 14(20), 13024.
- Office for National Statistics. (2022, September 5). Suicide by occupation, England and Wales, 2011 to 2021 registrations. Suicide by occupation, England and Wales, 2011 to 2021 registrations – Office for National Statistics. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/adhocs/15043suicidebyoccupationenglandandwales2011to2021registrations
- Stratton, E., Einboden, R., Ryan, R., Choi, I., Harvey, S. B., & Glozier, N. (2018). Deciding to Disclose a Mental Health Condition in Male Dominated Workplaces; A Focus-Group Study. Frontiers in psychiatry, 9, 684. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00684