Mates in Mind

Do you want your #PhD research to contribute to reducing #suicide risk in people working in the #construction industry? Deadline 3 March 2025 for this ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council BAM UK & Ireland co-funded PhD The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction UCL UCL Division of Psychiatry using ethnographic & evidence synthesis approaches, including BAM industry placement, and with thesis committee input from our voluntary sector partners at Mates in Mind. This is a priority group in terms of occupational risk of suicide. Your research will be of direct relevance to suicide prevention strategy objectives. Last few days before application window closes.

Trigger Warning: this post mentions suicide. At Mates in Mind, we are in awe of everyone who goes the extra mile, sometimes literally, in order to raise vital funds, so that we can empower more organisations to build positive mental health in and through work, ensuring work is good for workers and no-one reaches crisis point. Here is Donna’s story: “I'm running the 2025 London Marathon in memory of my dear friend Chris, one of the strongest and most laid-back people I've ever known. Nothing seemed to faze him until February 2019, when everything changed. “Just three months later, in April 2019, Chris took the devastating decision to end his life. He had been doing his job with no pressure for over 30 years, but in a short time, he found himself overwhelmed by stress at work. Looking back, we now understand he was suffering a mental health crisis. The heartbreak and loss he left behind are something he never would have wanted. He believed the world would be better without him, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. “I've never been a runner, but Chris was. When I entered the marathon ballot, I never thought I'd be selected, but I was. And I believe it happened for a reason. At 53 years old, I'm taking on this challenge for Chris and everyone struggling in silence. “I never want anyone to experience the pain that my friends have been through, and their heartbreak has been devastating for us all. So, I have decided to raise money for Mates in Mind, a charity that the family discovered after their loss and which is dedicated to mental health awareness in the workplace. If I could help save even one life, then Chris's death would not have been in vain. “Any donation is welcome, and Chris will be pushing me the whole 26.2 miles.” Please consider sponsoring Donna by scanning the QR code in the image or click: https://bit.ly/MinMDonna #LondonMarathon #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealthawareness #Stress #mentalhealthmatters Donna Tappin Michelle Wiles Chloe Wiles

Time to Talk Ep. 3: Poor Mental Health in Construction 🚧 The construction industry faces a hidden crisis—poor mental health. In the latest Time to Talk episode, Lauren Harrison opens up about the challenges workers face and why breaking the stigma is more important than ever. 🗣️ How can we better support mental well-being in construction? Check out the podcast here: https://bit.ly/4gXXc0G #MentalHealthAwareness #ConstructionIndustry #TimeToTalk #WellbeingAtWork Mates in Mind Lauren Harrison AIBM

Sharing for my network – Christopher Rodgers running 500miles with 6 points of PPE.....love it! Such an amazing cause, this is something every health and safety professional can get behind - if running is your thing, there are heaps of opportunities to get involved and support a great cause or with a dionation. Darren Hicks – the Manchester Half could be for you? And Natalie Timms – how about the Kent Half?? Let’s all come together to raise awareness for mental health and make a real difference with Mates in Mind. Check out the details below and join in if you can! Good luck Chris!

We believe that one of the best ways to create long lasting change within an organisation, is by educating and informing a workforce. This is why we encourage everyone in our community to engage with tailored training for employees, managers and mental health champions; helping everyone understand their roles and responsibilities when it comes to mental wellbeing at work. Find out more about our training: https://lnkd.in/gxK46D3f #mentalhealth #training #education

Discover why Donna Tappin has challenged herself to run the 2025 #LondonMarathon and, if you can, please support her (link in post below). Thank you for sharing Donna's story PermaGroup and for the support you are providing. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #suicide #stress Michelle Wiles

Just wrapped up another two-day MHFAider course for an engaged group of delegates from Tarmac! Their willingness to have deep, open conversations was truly inspiring—they're going to make fantastic Mental Health First Aiders, adding to the existing team at Tarmac. It’s encouraging to see more organisations investing in mental health first aid and creating cultures where well-being and support are a priority. The construction industry, in particular, benefits so much from initiatives like these. Mates in Mind continues to do incredible work in reducing stigma and normalising conversations around mental health in the sector, and I’m proud to be associated with both MHFA England®  and Mates in Mind. Let’s keep the momentum going—more organisations need to get on board and commit to equipping their teams with MHFA skills! 💙 #MentalHealthFirstAid #MHFA #MatesInMind #WellbeingAtWork #ConstructionMentalHealth #ReducingStigma

I asked the brilliant team at ABA Crane Hire Ltd why they chose to fundraise for Mates in Mind and they shared this with me: Mental health has always been a taboo subject especially for men and certainly within the construction industry, there is an aspect of being expected to carry on regardless and not being able to talk about it. Not everyone feels comfortable talking to family or personal friends so we thought it would be great to carry the same ethos as Mates in Mind ‘Be A Mate – Be The Change’. Anyone can suffer mental ill-health or crisis at any time and we need to push forward the thinking that talking about it to a ‘Mate’ is normal and acceptable and that those needing support feel comfortable to ask for it. In the construction industry we have a myriad of trades people, from all types of backgrounds, all with different situations, and we feel bringing mental health to the forefront will hopefully give those that need help the courage to take steps to ask for it. But also to give the confidence to ask if a ‘Mate’ is OK and open a discussion freely, through knowledge and training. ABA Cranes is very proud to support Mates in Mind and we are proud of our team offering their time to contribute to the making of the calendar and the sale of it to raise the funds. Thank you for being our mate, ABA Crane Hire Ltd 🩵

If you can, please spare a few minutes to complete the important survey from The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), which can be found in the post below👇

Last Thursday, the A417 Missing Link project, managed by Kier Transportation, hosted an awareness day in support of National Time to Talk Day. RRT Gloucester and Swindon served coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnuts to construction workers, while Mates in Mind delivered an informative session focused on mental health support in the construction industry. Raising awareness about available support is crucial to ensuring construction workers know they don't have to face this alone. #rrtcares