Campaign marks three years of supporting mental health in construction

This week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is marking the third anniversary of its Working Minds campaign, an initiative aimed at helping UK employers manage work-related stress as part of their legal responsibilities. The campaign highlights that it’s a legal duty for all employers to include work-related stress in risk assessments and address any risks identified.

The HSE reports that around half of all work-related ill health in the UK results from stress, depression, or anxiety. With this in mind, Working Minds encourages businesses, large and small, to integrate stress management practices to support mental health and reduce costly impacts like decreased productivity, higher sickness rates, and employee turnover.

“There are three main reasons employers should look to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health,” the HSE states. “It’s the law, it’s good for business, and it’s the right thing to do.”

For construction teams, HSE offers a range of practical tools, such as the Stress Talking Toolkit, which provides a framework for managers and employees to discuss work pressures and identify ways to mitigate stress. Although the toolkit is geared towards smaller organisations, it can also support larger businesses by facilitating open discussions during performance reviews, planning meetings, or change management projects.

The campaign offers resources for companies seeking to get involved, including a one-page support summary, campaign posters, and social media graphics. Additionally, HSE provides free online learning sessions and a monthly e-bulletin with new resources.

Construction businesses are encouraged to bring up the topic of stress at team meetings and individual check-ins, helping to build an open culture around mental health in the workplace.

For more on the Working Minds campaign and resources, visit the HSE website.