__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mental Health
often difficult-to-reach workers should also be at the forefront of new thinking. Construction is a people industry, and personal connections are vital for improving wellbeing.
One effective way to target small and micro construction companies is through principal contractors. They should create awareness amongst their supply chain about the importance of mental health and open channels to talk about it on individual and company-wide levels. However, for those outside of supply chains, such as sole traders and self-employed workers, a more direct outreach strategy may be needed. These businesses may not have access to contractorled communications. According to Mates in Mind and the Institute for Employment Studies, these groups are considered hardto-reach and require tailored engagement to ensure they are not left behind in sector-wide mental health efforts.
CITB’ s efforts and investment in mental health training have laid vital groundwork, offering the industry both the tools and permission to talk about what was once an unspoken topic. However, awareness is only the first step; we as an industry need to keep up the momentum and continue to support workers both on and off site.
CITB is supporting mental health programmes in both Wales and Scotland. In Scotland, CITB has funded £ 239,000 from the industry Impact Fund. Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland have joined forces with Scottish Action for Mental Health( SAMH), creating a new suicide prevention training programme tailored to the Scottish construction industry.
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