Mental Health In The Trades 2021 UK Report

A report which reveals work-related stress and what to do if this affects you.

Key findings of a UK Survey* have found that almost half of UK tradespeople (49%) have experienced some form of work-related stress, anxiety or depression with as many as 28% experiencing mental health issues every day, nearly three in five (58%) reporting symptoms every week and 91% experiencing work-related stress at least once a month.

Causes of Stress in Tradespeople

The causes of mental health issues vary, but 38% identified money worries as the number one concern and a major cause of stress. Tensions with customers and supplies are also next on the list.

Sadly, one in five (20%) of tradespeople indicated mental health issues as a result of abuse from customers.

By Trade

The survey has uncovered that mental health issues are more common in some trades than others. Bricklayers are most likely to be affected followed by joiners (62%), who primarily worry about finances and supplier issues (38% each).

While plasterers are among the least likely to suffer from mental health problems (22%), they are the most worried about job security, with half (50%) admitting they are concerned about the stability of their employment.

What you can do?

If you suffer stress, depression or anxiety, one positive way is to open up and talk to someone about what you are going through.

Sadly, over half (52%) of workers aged 18 to 24 say they wouldn’t speak to anyone about their mental health.

To help break the stigma of mental health, it’s really important to check in regularly on your colleagues, employees, friends and family and ask how they are.

If you are feeling stressed about work or life, the HSE has some helpful tips here.

CIF Health & Safety Summit 2021

On Friday October 29, 2021, The Construction Industry Federation Health and Safety Summit will be held virtually and will cover a range of Health and Safety topics focusing on issues including:

Protecting home workers: Steps to ensure the health and mental health of remote workers
Mitigating the risk of mental ill-health: Monitoring workers’ health and mental heath and your legal obligations
The future of health & safety regulation – potential updates to H&S regulation and the impacts this could have on employers’ responsibilities

If your goal is protecting the safety and health of the people working for you or protecting yourself and learning industry best practice, then this is the event for you. Ticket are on sale now.