FEATURE Mental health
n By Keith Hatch
Building better mental health
Why not try a Unite education course?
It’s a sobering fact – but construction workers are four times more likely to take their own life than workers in other sectors, and despite many projects and initiatives aimed at supporting mental health at work these figures have been rising over recent years.
Large scale construction projects, like Hinkley Point C in Somerset, can take a heavy toll on workers mental health - but Unite is helping members recognise the signs and offer support through training for reps across the sector.
Long hours in difficult working conditions, often away from home and family for extended periods of time all contribute to these concerning statistics.
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Stress and mental health challenges arise due to demanding work, job insecurity, safety concerns, etc. Addressing these challenges involves raising awareness, fostering a supportive culture, and providing mental health support. The Unite regional MHA courses help with this
Unite recognises issues as stress and mental health should not be ignored and aims to support reps by providing tools to reps that will help them reduce and prevent stress and promote good mental health in colleagues at work, as well as educating and increasing awareness about mental health issues.
As part of this support Unite Education
runs extremely popular Mental Health Awareness courses for workplace reps and shop stewards across the country. It has also produced a
practical resource Mental Health Guide for reps and negotiators which highlights how trade union negotiation can help reduce stress.
Unite’s Mental Health Awareness (MHA) training has recently been held for reps in the South West – the region covering the Hinkley Point C (HPC) site. Courses have been both online, and in the classroom, at Tony Benn House in Bristol.
Many workplace and health & safety reps from HPC grabbed the
opportunity to take part, including Luke Panesar – a Senior Unite Shop Steward and Safety Rep working for TG Tunnelling.
Luke Panesar
Senior Unite Shop Steward and Safety Rep
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Luke explained why he signed up to the training; “I attended the Unite MHA courses to learn more about mental health, to help reduce stigma, and meet workplace requirements.”
“In construction, stress and mental health challenges arise due to demanding work, job insecurity, safety concerns, stigma, isolation, and
22 Unite buildingWORKER Spring 2024
substance abuse. Addressing these challenges involves raising awareness, fostering a supportive culture, and providing mental health support. The Unite MHA courses help with this.”
Luke and his fellow reps have been using the information and resources from the course to develop ways to support members at the construction site and help them maintain good mental health.
Just some of the ideas they have been developing include running campaigns to raise awareness about mental health to reduce stigma. They also aim to signpost members to mental health support services and offer programs to teach stress management and coping skills.
Luke said they have also been using their negotiation skills as reps to push for flexible work options to balance work and personal life and offer support for members facing financial stress.
Luke said: “These ideas would make members feel supported, knowing that the union cares about their mental health and overall well-being.”
Suz Muna is one of the team of Unite Education tutors who have been delivering the MHA training to reps, and is a Lecturer at City of Bristol College mainly teaching on the Unite programme. Suz is an elected rep at the College and one of the South West representatives on the Unite Executive Council. Suz says that the course recruits a
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