Working in construction can be a varied and rewarding career. It’s a unique industry, but one that has a higher than average likelihood of work-related stress and other mental health issues.

Of all the sectors examined, construction continues to have the highest rates of suicide, two people in construction die by suicide every working day, that’s over 700 a year and men working in construction are more likely to die by suicide than the national average man (Mates in Mind, 2022).

Stigma and unsupportive workplace culture can make it hard for employees to voice their problems or speak to colleagues about their experiences. Thankfully things are changing, employee mental health is being put as a priority in construction businesses, and plenty of help, information and support is available.

If you are a construction worker, or anyone working in a trade, we’ve compiled a list of resources to show you where to start and where to access support.

Support for construction workers & anyone working in a trade

Construction Industry Helpline

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HELPLINE – Home

Call: 0345 605 1956

Provided by the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and supported by the Considerate Constructors Scheme, the helpline advises on a range of matters including occupational health and wellbeing, support and advice for people with stress, and home worries such as divorce, tax and financial concerns. The services can also provide emergency financial aid to the construction community in times of crisis.

Live Web Chat Service

The live web chat services provides real time wellbeing support from our helpline advisors (not automated bots!) If finding a place to talk is difficult for you then our live web chat service offers complete privacy whatever the setting.

​The service also offers the choice to chat in over 100 languages.
Currently available Mon-Fri  9am-6pm.

Live Chat is available on:
lighthouseclub.org, constructionindustryhelpline.com
​and makeitvisible.info

Text HARDHAT Service

The text ‘HARDHAT’ service meets the needs of those who feel uncomfortable speaking with someone on the telephone or find it difficult to find a place and time to talk. The text service provides one to one support on a range of emotional wellbeing issues and can signpost to further specialist support if needed.

Text HARDHAT to 85258 (UK)
​Text HARDHAT to 50808 (ROI)

Buckinghamshire Mind Counselling Service

Bucks Mind work with people who are experiencing anxiety, depression, loss, relationship issues, difficulties with anger, recovery from traumatic events or are struggling to cope with the pressures of life. They offer counselling to people over the age of 18. Our service may not be suitable for some people, but this will be decided between you and the counsellor during the initial appointment.

If you would like to refer yourself to the counselling service, please click on the button below to complete an online referral form or call us on 01494 771131.

Online Referral Form

Building Mental Health

Building Mental Health – Building Mental Health – Home

Building Mental Health (BMH) is a Framework, borne out of a cross industry volunteer group created with contributions from clients, contractors, specialist sub-contractors, designers, trade associations, trade unions, regulators, training bodies. The purpose is to provide a flexible and consistent framework to enable all parts of the construction sector to access mental health support, provide awareness and training and put in place a structure and systems to support people working in and around our industry.

B&CE Construction Worker Helpline

Call: 0808 801 0372

Website: https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/for-times-of-need/

B&CE’s Construction Worker Helpline provides free support and guidance in times of need. It is open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week.

BeAMate Text Service

Text: “BEAMATE” to 85258

Mates in Mind partner with Shout to offer a free and confidential mental health support service 24/7 to anyone in distress.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Call: 0800 58 58 58 (UK) 0808 802 58 58 (London)

CALM provide a helpline for men in the UK who are down or have hit a wall, who need to talk or find information and support.

The helpline is open 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. They also offer a webchat service between the same hours.

Cruse Bereavement Care

Call: 0808 808 1677

The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement.

The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9.30-5pm (excluding bank holidays), with extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, when we’re open until 8pm.

Electrical Industries Charity

Call: 0800 652 1618

Email: [email protected]

Free & confidential advice for people working within the electrical industry, needing help with a wide variety of issues including debt, legal advice, financial assistance & grants and career advice amongst many other things.

Mates in Mind

Mates in Mind | Overview of our work | Mates in Mind

If you or someone you know needs help or support, you can speak to one of the many free, confidential support services provided.

You can also use their “BeAMate” text support service. To use the service, simply text “BeAMate” to 85258 and trained volunteers can help with issues including anxiety, stress, loneliness or depression and are available 24/7.

MoneyHelper

Call: 0800 138 7777

MoneyHelper is a government-backed service that helps you with money and pension issues. You can use online tools, calculators, guides and phone support to put you in control, with free, impartial help that’s quick to find, and easy to use.

National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

Call: 01903 200666

Email: [email protected]

Website (find a counsellor): www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/find-counsellor

The NCPS is committed to making sure people can receive information, support and training when they need it. They hold an Accredited Register of counsellors which you can search to find a registered counsellor in the UK, near you. This allows you the choice to find a qualified counsellor you feel comfortable working with.

National Gambling Helpline

Call: 0808 8020 133

Whether you’re looking for treatment, advice, or you just want to talk to someone about your – or someone else’s – gambling, there’s lots of support available, including a free helpline open 24/7.

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK

Call: 0800 689 5652

Website: https://www.spuk.org.uk/

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK helps anyone who may be struggling with their mental health and/or thoughts of suicide. The helpline is open from 6pm to midnight every day. The listening service is also available via social media and face to face out in the community.

Safe Haven

Run by Bucks Mind, Safe Haven offers short-term intervention to people while they are in a mental health crisis, as an alternative to A&E. Safe Haven understand that a mental health crisis can be a frightening and sometimes lonely experience. Safe Haven are here to let you know that you are not alone. They provide listening support, signposting and safety planning in a welcoming and supportive setting. They also understand that people sometimes want a place to just ‘be’ during a mental health crisis, and that’s fine too.

Open from 6.00pm – midnight.

To contact Safe Haven in Aylesbury, seven evenings a week, please call 01296 453017.

To contact Safe Haven in High Wycombe, seven evenings a week, please call 01494 218098.

Samaritans

Call: 116 123

Whatever you’re going through, call Samaritans free any time, from any phone.

Samaritans offers a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you.

They won’t judge your or tell you what to do, they’ll listen to you.

Step Change

Call: 0800 138 1111

Website: https://www.stepchange.org/

Step Change provide the UK’s most comprehensive debt advice service. The team help people with debt problems take back control of their finances and their lives, with free debt advice.

Switchboard [LGBTQIA+]

Call: 0800 0119 100

Website: https://switchboard.lgbt/

Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line, for anyone, anywhere in the country, at any point in their journey. They can discuss anything related to sexuality and gender identity, whether it’s sexual health, relationships or just the way you’re feeling.

The Mix [under 25’s]

Text: THEMIX to 85258 (crisis messenger service)

Website: https://www.themix.org.uk/

The Mix helps young people take on any challenges they’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. You can talk to them via their online community, on social, through their free, confidential helpline or their counselling service.

Veterans’ Gateway

Call: 0808 802 1212

Ask a question: https://support.veteransgateway.org.uk/app/ask

Website: https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/

Veterans Gateway is a central location for veterans and their families to get in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.

Workplace Mental Health Support Service

Call: 0300 456 8114

Provided by Remploy, in partnership with Access to Work, WMHSS offers a free and confidential support service to help you remain in your job when it is being affected by stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health issue (whether diagnosed or not). If you are finding work difficult or you are absent from work, their advisors will help you make a wellbeing plan and support you with workplace adjustments, including how to get support from your employer.