The charity Band of Builders has expanded its counselling service for tradespeople in a bid to halt the rising suicide rate amongst UK construction industry workers – which has increased for the fifth year in a row.
The ‘Big Brew’ campaign encourages tradespeople who are experiencing relationship or mental health issues or any other trauma to seek help through the Band of Builders website and receive confidential therapy through a phone call, live chat, WhatsApp or text.
Tradespeople and those working in construction face a variety of pressures - from tight contracts to long hours, physical demands, time away from loved-ones and now the rising costs of supplies.
This in a male-dominated industry where many may feel stigma in speaking out about their mental health has led to an increase in suicide rates within the sector in Britain.
Tradespeople and those working in construction face a variety of pressures - from tight contracts to long hours, physical demands, time away from loved-ones and now the rising costs of supplies.
GB News
Gavin Crane, CEO of Band of Builders, told GB News: “Construction now has the highest suicide rate of any industry, which is devastating. It’s 34 people in every 100,000 now that are taking their own lives.
“You compare that to the national average of 10.5 per 100,000 – if you work in construction, you’re now four times more likely to take your own life, which is shocking and devastating.”
To support those working in trades, the Big Brew campaign encourages workers to speak out about their mental health and seek support.
“You look at construction its 87 per cent male, if we can break down stigma and get guys talking, opening up about their feelings, not being seek as weak, then we can make some headway into improving that figure and seeing some change in the industry,” said Gavin.
Lee Brown is a self-employed gas engineer at Peak Group with 27 years of experience. He sadly knows people in the industry who’ve taken their own lives and knows first-hand what it’s like to struggle with mental health.
Lee told GB News: “It felt like I was existing and not living and when I started going out on my own I hadn’t got that support network that I had when I was in the Army or at college.
“I was making mistakes and making errors and you’ve got to take the responsibility for them and they got me really down as I don’t like making mistakes.”
Lee Brown is a self-employed gas engineer at Peak Group with 27 years of experience
GB News
Along with Band of Builders, Lee also supports people in the industry to speak out about the difficulties they are facing.
“The thing that hit me the most was when we knew somebody that had taken their own life – that’s when I thought right I’m going to do more and get involved more,” said Lee.
“That’s what we’ve done through our social media and our networks, telling people I’d much rather hear your story that your eulogy, come and talk to me.”
Band of Builders | National Charity for Tradespeople