Clough’s Post

Would you like to help MATES, and leave a legacy in the construction industry in WA? MATES in Construction WA are asking for construction companies across the state to participate in our 5-minute Research Study with The University of Western Australia. This research aims to understand the prevalence and potential causes of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and mental health difficulties in the construction industry. How can you help spread the word? Include this research in your upcoming toolbox talks, internal and external newsletters, and spread the word as much as possible on site! We are calling this our "Smoko Survey", as it takes just 5 minutes and can be completed on your phone. https://lnkd.in/gUF_Bzc3 Please note, this survey is strictly confidential and participants can withdraw at any time. This research has UWA Human Research Ethics approval. For more resources, please contact MATES Communications and Events Manager, Sinead Donovan, at sdonovan@mates.org.au #SMOKOSURVEY #MATESResearch

Last week, Dylan Ogilvie, Melchor’s General Manager of Operations, attended the MATES in Construction WA Industry Partners Sundowner. The event not only provided a chance to connect with like-minded people dedicated to creating a safer and healthier construction environment but also marked the launch of MATES' Research Study in collaboration with UWA. This study, conducted in partnership with The University of Western Australia, aims to understand the prevalence and potential causes of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and mental health difficulties in the construction industry. Led by UWA academics, this important research piece aims to inform and shape the industry’s approach to improving psychosocial wellbeing. Participation in this research is entirely voluntary and anonymous. Click the links below for further information, and to complete the survey. Info: https://lnkd.in/g6_8f93i Survey: https://lnkd.in/gnNj75jW Let's work together to make a positive impact on the construction industry's future.

This LinkedIn post sheds light on a critical issue affecting the construction industry - the alarming rates of suicide among workers. In 2021, 507 construction workers tragically lost their lives to suicide, highlighting a staggering average of two workers taking their own lives every working day. The industry's suicide rate is a concerning four times higher than the national average, emphasizing the severity of this crisis. Despite the magnitude of this issue, it remains relatively unknown outside the construction sector. "The Lost City" aims to raise awareness by visualizing the potential projects and structures that these workers could have contributed to if not for the tragic impact of suicide. This visualization underscores the true scale of construction suicides and the profound loss experienced within the industry. It's crucial to address this issue openly and collaboratively to prioritize the mental health and well-being of construction workers.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has announced that the third instalment in a series of studies into the mental health struggles of construction workers is set to land in 2025. https://lnkd.in/eWVVpUrq

Powerful messaging on the Lawn Market about mental health in the construction trades. Credit @thelostcity Also a stark reminder that world of work within the UK construction sector is really messed up at the moment and increasingly so since the 2008 crash / post pandemic. This has real human consequnces. Architecture isn’t immune from this wider economic system and culture that affects mental health negatively. Most studios are SMEs, and increasingly employee owned therefore usual business pressures apply around cash flow and compitiveness. Stress and anxiety inducing factors include diminished/ing fees (e.g. sub 2% of build costs, even on complex projexts), hostile payment terms, stop start funding, chronic delays on approvals and consents. The lottery of an unpredictable planning system is just one area where clients patience is being tried. This often means payments being delayed until the next stage is finally reached, perhaps months or years in the future. Even in the short time working with the RIAS I have seen established and respected Scottish firms go under with all the misery this entails. A critical pressure point, based on observing the sector, is that most architects seem hard wired to deliver buildings of value, maintain high professional standards, and finding time to nurture new talent. Meanwhile, both the market, and government agencies, demand value engineering solutions , then pass on the risks for suboptimal design choices. Nine months working on policy advocacy for the sector I have been shocked at this back drop. Mental health is difficult to maintain where workers are small cogs in a machine which is being driven remotely to a potential breaking point. Hopefully, we can get some political action in 2025 to turn the corner. A little bit of hope could go along way. Rant over - well done https://lnkd.in/exiwtusk for a thought provoking campaign. Mental health advice https://lnkd.in/eTtyUu8R

https://lnkd.in/gkT7vGcD Mental health and suicide rates in the UK construction industry demand real attention Steve Kerslake, keep fighting the good fight. I'm not sure of the statistics outside of the UK but I do know that the pressure to meet unrealistic schedules, work extended hours, weekends, and bank holidays—or to not take leave altogether— in my opinion plays a significant part. Taking time to rest and recharge is essential, not a luxury. As an industry, we need to prioritize all of our well-being by encouraging a culture that values mental health and work-life balance. Addressing these challenges is just the right thing to do.

We want to thank the Statesman Journal / Gannett for writing this thoughtful article on our company's mental health program: Tough Enough to Talk. The construction industry experiences the second highest number of suicides in the country, and Hoffman Construction is doing everything we can to prevent suicides on our job sites. We opened up one of our first GUTS (Get Us There Safe) trailers at the Oregon State Capitol project in August 2022 because we wanted to create a safe and welcoming space where employees can take a break, have meaningful conversations, get mental health resources, take telehealth calls, play a game, and participate in support groups. These trailers are meant to provide a respite from a difficult and stressful job and an opportunity to reset. These are not traditional break rooms. When someone says "I'm not doing okay" in a GUTS trailer, people listen and offer support. This is a relatively new program, and while we don't have statistics to share about its success, we know this for a fact: GUTS trailers save lives. This is why we strive to have GUTS trailers on all our project sites. We also want to thank our Project Superintendent Josh Faulkner for being a positive role model for our program, and of course for being Tough Enough to Talk himself. #hoffmanbuilds #GetUsThereSafe #ToughEnoughtoTalk https://lnkd.in/gnaDYBdR

This is the city that will never be built. 7000 construction workers, enough to build a city, have died by suicide in the past decade. Feeling suicidal? When things feel overwhelming, support is here. Talking to someone you trust, like a friend, family member,or colleague, can make a difference. Helplines offer confidential support, too. You’re never alone. Text BOB to 85258 for free 24/7 support from Band of Builders. The Lost City addresses this crisis, showing the true scale of construction suicides. https://lnkd.in/eht_uVDf

The death by suicide rates in UK Construction are alarming. The construction industry in the UK faces an unacceptable crisis: a disproportionately high rate of suicides among its workers. 🚧 This graph starkly illustrates the severity of the issue 🚧 I've been speaking with industry experts, and it's clear that these on-site issues are at the heart of the problem. We need urgent action. Construction is seen by many economists as the canary down the coal mine for the nation's economy, but this is a warning for the nation's mental health. Key Challenges ⚠Cost of living ⚠High insolvency rates ⚠Unfair contracts ⚠Lack of diversity Fred Mills has been championing mental health awareness through Get Construction Talking, and his work has inspired me to reflect deeply on this issue. If you could implement one change to tackle this crisis, what would it be? Join the Conversation. Let's collaborate on solutions. Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. 👇 #MentalHealth #ConstructionIndustry #GetConstructionTalking #Diversity #FairWages #SuicidePrevention

#TheLostCity is quite possibly one of the strongest campaigns that we have seen in a long time, highlighting the devastating fact that 7,000 construction workers have died by suicide in the past ten years. Incredibly powerful displays have appeared in ten cities across the UK, with hard hats being placed around road signs carrying messages such as: "Caution. Suicide in Construction" "Diversion. The Lost City" The campaign raises crucial awareness that suicide rates amongst construction workers are four times the national average. Huge respect to Band of Builders, Construction Sport and On The Tools for this outstanding initiative that hopefully will get people talking, inspire action and drive positive change. https://lnkd.in/e4QC3ZPu #Project7000 #TheLostCity #SuicideAwareness #ConstructionIndustry