Mental Health Awareness Week: Supporting Wellbeing in UK Construction Monday 11th May to Sunday 17th May 2026

Construction is built on teamwork, skill and resilience -but the pressures of long hours, tight

deadlines and time away from home can take a real toll. Mental Health Awareness Week is a

timely reminder that looking after wellbeing is just as important as managing physical safety on

site. Below is a practical, UK-focused overview of what good support looks like in

construction - what employers can do every day, how to respond when someone is struggling, and

where to signpost for specialist help.

1) How construction employers can promote good mental health

Across the UK, construction employers are increasingly expected - by the Health and Safety

Executive (HSE), clients and industry standards -to manage mental health risks in the same

structured way as physical hazards. The most effective approaches combine leadership, practical

risk management and easy access to support.

Leadership, culture and awareness

• Encourage open conversations about stress, anxiety and depression to reduce stigma on site.
• Ask senior leaders and project managers to visibly back wellbeing campaigns (for example, HSE's Working Minds) and talk about mental health as part of 'how we work'.
• Include wellbeing in toolbox talks and site briefings - not just physical safety topics.

Risk assessment and workload management

• Include work-related stress, depression and anxiety in risk assessments, using HSE guidance on managing work-related stress.
• Review deadlines, shift patterns, fatigue, excessive overtime and long periods working away from home - then take action where risk is high. 

Training and upskilling

• Train supervisors and line managers to spot early signs of distress and respond appropriately.
• Consider Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) or similar awareness training so there are confident, approachable points of contact on site.

Policies, commitments and consistency

• Publish a clear wellbeing policy covering induction, site work, escalation routes and return-to-work after absence.
• Adopt an employer commitment framework (such as Mind's Mental Health at Work Commitment) and make it real through regular communication and measurement.

2) What to do when someone is struggling

If you notice a change in someone’s behaviour - or they tell you they’re not coping - early,

practical support can make a huge difference. The aim is to respond quickly, protect confidentiality, and agree adjustments and next steps that are realistic for the role and the individual.

Start with a conversation

• Have a private, non-judgemental check-in (ideally with a trained manager or Mental Health First Aider).
• Focus on what's changed, what support would help, and what can be adjusted at work.
• Signpost to internal or external support early - don't leave someone to cope alone.

Make reasonable workplace adjustments

• Temporarily adjust working hours, shifts or overtime expectations.
• Reduce workload or change responsibilities for an agreed period.
• Consider site location, travel demands and time away from home.
• Agree how you'll review progress (for example, a weekly check-in).

Professional and crisis support

• Offer or signpost to counselling and practical advice via an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) if available.
• If there is an immediate risk of harm, treat it as urgent: contact emergency services where appropriate and signpost to 24/7 crisis support.

Recovery and return-to-work

• Use a phased return-to-work plan after absence due to stress, depression or anxiety.
• Keep supportive check-ins going - avoid a "return and forget" approach.

3) Where to get help: trusted UK support organisations

Whether you're an employer, a site manager or a worker, there are strong, specialist sources of support available. Here are a few widely used across the UK construction sector.

Regulatory and industry leadership

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - Guidance for employers on managing work-related stress and the Working Minds approach to preventing work-related ill health.
• Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG) - Cross-industry leadership and resources, including links to sector frameworks and campaigns.

Specialist construction support

• Mates in Mind – Industry-specific training and resources designed for sites, supply chains and SMEs.
• Lighthouse Charity (Lighthouse Club) - 24/7 emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support for construction workers and families, including a helpline and training.

Wider mental health organisations often used by construction firms

• Mind – Employer guidance and the Mental Health at Work Commitment.
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England - Accredited MHFA training.
• Samaritans - 24/7 listening support for anyone in distress.

4) Why this matters in construction

• Construction is a high-pressure environment, and the sector is widely recognised as having elevated suicide risk - making prevention, early support and signposting essential.
• Mental health is increasingly treated as a core part of risk management, with stronger expectations from regulators and clients to address psychosocial hazards.

Take a minute to check in

If you're a manager, a colleague or a friend, a simple check-in can open the door to support. If you're struggling yourself, you don't have to deal with it alone - talk to someone you trust and use the confidential services available. Building a safer industry means making space for honest conversations and practical help.

Watch: 3-minute Mental Health Awareness video

Share this short video with your teams and supply chain to start a conversation about mental

health on site:

Video link: https://www.nisg.org.uk/3-minute-mental-health-awareness-video

Support organisations (websites)

Need to speak to someone or find practical guidance quickly? The organisations below are trusted across the UK construction sector and beyond. They offer everything from employer toolkits and training to confidential helplines and immediate emotional support - use the websites to find the right option for you or to share with your team.