Construction has made significant strides in improving physical safety over the past few decades. Yet when it comes to mental health, the industry is still grappling with a silent crisis.

The Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment report released by CIOB last year found that 80% of construction professionals said they had experienced stress often or sometimes in the past year, alongside high levels of anxiety (83%) and depression (60%). More concerning still, a quarter reported having suicidal thoughts within the past year.

This stress is often caused by the cumulative effect of how the industry operates.

Tight deadlines, time pressures and long hours can cause constant pressure to deliver projects on time and within budget, often with limited resource and little margin for error. This can be combined with a project-based model that can cause job insecurity, compounded by financial pressures such as late payments, cashflow challenges and rising living costs that place additional strain on individuals and businesses.

Environmental and organisational stressors such as poor communication, inadequate planning, lack of involvement in decision-making, and time away from family can also contribute to pressure across job roles. 

Construction remains a predominantly male industry, where traditional expectations around toughness and resilience can discourage people from speaking openly about how they feel, with this “macho” culture continuing to act as a barrier to seeking help.

The impact on mental health

Prolonged stress can lead to fatigue, burnout, anxiety and depression. This can in turn impact concentration, decision-making and overall quality of life. In an industry where safety is critical, this has direct implications for risk on site.

At an organisational level, stress contributes to absenteeism, presenteeism and reduced productivity. It also affects retention, with many workers considering leaving the industry due to poor work-life balance and ongoing pressure.

But most important is the human cost. Construction workers are significantly more likely to die by suicide than the national average, with some estimates suggesting rates up to three or four times higher.

Support is available

While these statistics feel bleak, help is available, and awareness is increasing.

CIOB Members past and present are able to access a range of practical support through CIOB Assist, including financial guidance, employment advice and mental health resources. The Get Support hub provides a central point for advice and signposting, while CIOB works in partnership with Anxiety UK to offer free, confidential therapy. Additional resources on the CIOB Assist website include signposting 24/7 support services and emergency contacts, ensuring that help is accessible when it is needed most.

CIOB also launched the Need to Talk Sticker as a discreet way for people in construction to access support when they need it most. The sticker features a QR code that takes you directly to CIOB Assist, where a range of help and resources are available. It’s designed to be placed in private spaces, such as inside locker doors or toilet cubicles, so that it can be scanned discreetly.

Beyond CIOB, organisations such as Mates in Mind, Mental Health First Aid England and Mind are working across the sector to improve awareness, provide training and embed better support within workplaces.

CIOB Members have also been encouraged to submit letters for the Reasons to Stay, a global suicide prevention project reaching people at difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers from all over the world.

Encouragingly, more employers are introducing initiatives such as Mental Health First Aiders, help lines and flexible working. 

A collective responsibility

Beyond the provision of services, tackling stress in construction requires a collective effort.

Employers must continue to create environments where mental health is taken seriously, ensuring workloads are manageable, communication is clear and support is visible and accessible. Rather than a one-off mention during Mental Health Awareness Week, it should be included as a regular discussion point alongside other safety information during toolbox talks. 

Managers and colleagues play a vital role in recognising the signs of stress and starting conversations.  Training managers to identify poor mental health and to have 1-1 meetings that focus on employees’ wellbeing can go a long way to identifying issues before they become deeper. Sometimes, simply asking someone if they are okay can make a meaningful difference.

As an industry, we must continue to challenge the cultural barriers that prevent people from speaking out. Normalising conversations around mental health is essential if we are to reduce stigma and encourage early intervention. 

Mental Health Awareness Week provides a simple icebreaker to talking about stress and the wider mental health of your colleagues, but these conversations must lead to embedded culture change if we are to see meaningful change in the sector.