MENTAL HEALTH & STRESS
BREAKING THE SILENCE
Vicki Cockman, Director of Training and Consultancy at Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, analyses how we can tackle suicide stigma across the construction industry.
The construction industry faces a mental health emergency. Men working in construction are almost four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average, making it one of the highest-risk sectors in the UK.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September 2025, Mental Health First Aid England has released new data highlighting a troubling gap. While 74% of adults say they would ask a colleague if they were worried that the colleague was having thoughts of suicide, only 40% would feel comfortable doing so. In construction, this gap is even wider.
Just 25% of construction workers say they would definitely ask a colleague about suicide. Only 34% were comfortable talking about suicide while 43% said they didn’t have the confidence or skills to ask about suicide or suicidal thoughts.
In high-risk sectors like construction, suicide prevention must go beyond good intentions. It has to be embedded in workplace culture, policy, and day-to-day practice.
A CULTURE OF SILENCE Construction is traditionally male dominated, physically demanding, and often isolating. Many workers face long hours, financial pressure, and job insecurity. These are all risk factors for poor mental health. Yet, a 'tough it out' culture often stops people from speaking up.
"JUST 25% OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS SAY THEY WOULD DEFINITELY ASK A COLLEAGUE ABOUT SUICIDE."
Language can also be a barrier. Many construction workers interviewed still used the phrase 'committed suicide,' a term that can unintentionally reinforce stigma and shame. The more compassionate and widely encouraged wording is 'died by suicide.' At present, only around a quarter of workers we spoke to were aware of this language shift.
PRACTICAL ACTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
It doesn’t have to be this way. With the right support and training, employers in the construction sector can break the silence, reduce stigma, and potentially save lives. The percentage of organisations offering access to mental health first aiders rose from 35% in 2020 to 54% in 2025, marking a significant 19% increase in support provision. But there is more that can be done.
26 Here’s how you can support your workers:
1. Embed suicide prevention into your health and safety strategy
Treat mental health risks as seriously as physical ones. Include prevention, intervention, and postvention plans.
2. Train your workforce MHFA England’s Suicide Prevention Training for Organisations, delivered in partnership with Junah Ltd, equips workers with the tools to spot warning signs, ask the right questions, and signpost support. Just as importantly, it helps create visibility around who in the organisation is trained to listen, ensuring colleagues know where they can turn for a safe and confidential conversation. This clarity not only encourages people to seek help sooner, but also helps embed a culture of trust and openness across the workplace.
3. Normalise mental health conversations Encourage open dialogue across all levels, from apprentices to senior leadership. When people see leaders and peers talking about mental health, they’re more likely to speak up.
To empower everyone to feel confident in having supportive conversations around poor mental health and suicide, MHFA England has developed several free resources including, Let’s talk. This resource helps you and your colleagues become more suicide aware and gives advice on how to support someone experiencing suicide thoughts or behaviours. You can download it here.
https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/campaigns/world-suicide-preven- tion-day-2025/
4. Use appropriate, non-stigmatising language Phrases like 'died by suicide' help reduce fear and shame, making it safer to talk openly.
5. Signpost clearly to support Make information about Employee Assistance Programmes, Samaritans (116 123), and local mental health services visible and accessible. Recognise that poor mental health can arise from many different factors, inside and outside of work, so it’s important to offer a variety of support routes. By signposting a broad mix of services, from crisis helplines to counselling, financial advice, and wellbeing resources, employers can help ensure people find the type of support that best meets their individual needs.
6. Plan for postvention Have support systems in place for colleagues affected by a suicide or suicide. attempt. Early, compassionate responses can reduce trauma and protect wellbeing.
BUILDING A SAFER FUTURE
The construction sector is built on strong foundations, it must also build a culture where mental health matters. With the right training and leadership, we can create safer, more supportive environments where every worker feels seen, heard, and valued.
Together, we can change the narrative. Together, we can save lives.
https://mhfaengland.org WWW.TOMORROWSHS.COM
https://mhfaengland.org/organisations/workplace/suicide-prevention-for-organisa- tions/
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