It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, so we’re taking a moment to check in and talk about ways to get help if you’re struggling with problems like depression or anxiety.
It’s more important than ever for people in our industry to find help if they need it. Sadly, we lose two construction workers every working day to suicide*. Working in the building trade can bring with it a raft of pressures – working hours can be long and contract deadlines tight. Add to that labour shortages, the rising cost of supplies and a culture which, historically, has not encouraged its workers (mainly men) to talk about their mental health and seek help when needed.
We want to help construction businesses change this story. The FMB is working closely with NHS England, which offers a Talking Therapies service. If you, or anyone you work with is struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety, you can access NHS Talking Therapies to receive effective, confidential and free treatment from trained clinicians either online, over the phone or in person.
It can be one of the best steps you can take to help overcome mental health issues and get you back on track. NHS Talking Therapies can help to provide support and treatment for common mental health problems, like:
- feeling anxious
- feeling low and hopeless
- having panic attacks
- finding it hard to cope with work, life or relationships
- struggling with flashbacks or nightmares about upsetting events from your past
- feeling stressed
- worrying a lot
- obsessive thoughts or behaviours
- fear of social situations
- being afraid of things, such as spiders, flying or heights (phobias)
How to access Talking Therapies
Finding help as soon as you start to feel like something isn’t right can help to reduce the impact it has on your life. You don’t need to have a diagnosed mental health issue to refer yourself to an NHS Talking Therapies service, your GP can refer you or you can refer yourself directly online at nhs.uk/talk.
What to expect
Once you contact NHS Talking Therapies, someone from the service will be in touch, usually within a few weeks. They’ll ask for more details about the problems you’re having, which is referred to as an assessment. If they are able to offer help, they will recommend a therapy for you based on your symptoms. Waiting times for your first session can vary – the service will be able to tell you what to expect.
Types of therapy available
The type of therapy offered will depend on your symptoms, but can include the following therapies:
- counselling for depression;
- guided self-help – the therapist will coach you as you go through a self-help course in your own time. This can be in a workbook or online;
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – to help you recognise and challenge thoughts or behaviours; and
- interpersonal therapy (IPT) / Dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT) – therapy that examines the link between your depression and your relationships.
Mental health resources for your construction business
In addition to NHS Talking Therapies, there are a number of other organisations that can help the construction community and their families.
The FMB has partnered with Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity to offer our members and their families support with their emotional, physical and financial wellbeing. You can also find resources on their website to help you promote mental health awareness in your company.
