The construction industry has long been known for its physical demands, but beneath the hard hats and steel-toe boots lies a much deeper challenge: mental health in construction.

A Crisis We Can’t Ignore

Every working day, two construction workers die by suicide in the UK. This heartbreaking statistic reflects a culture that often prioritises deadlines over wellbeing, and silence over support. From long hours and job insecurity to tough site conditions and stigma around speaking up, the pressures facing the construction workforce are real, and rising.

Although mental health awareness has improved, many workers still feel they can’t open up. It’s time to change that, not with token gestures, but with proper understanding, meaningful support, and practical action.

Why Training Is Part of the Solution

Awareness is a start, but training is the next step.

Providing access to quality mental health training can help employers and teams create a culture where people feel safe to speak up and know how to support one another.

At Essential Site Skills, our range of mental health courses is designed to give individuals the confidence and tools to:

• Recognise the early signs of poor mental health
• Start supportive conversations
• Respond in a crisis
• Promote a healthy, inclusive working environment

Whether it's a short mental health awareness session or a full mental health first aid course, this training can help foster lasting change across construction teams.

A New Standard for Suicide Prevention in Construction

In response to the growing mental health crisis, BSI is developing BS 30480 — the first British Standard dedicated to suicide prevention in the built environment.

This landmark development is a vital step toward creating safer, more supportive workplaces across construction. The new standard aims to help organisations:

• Understand risk factors specific to construction
• Create psychologically safer working environments
• Embed practical measures to prevent suicide and protect workers

While the standard is still in development, now is the time to act. Employers, site managers and industry leaders can begin preparing by investing in mental health training, building awareness, and fostering a culture where wellbeing is prioritised as much as physical safety.

If you want to stay informed about BS 30480 or get involved early:
Register your interest with BSI

Don’t Forget the Next Generation

While the focus is often on site workers, we can’t overlook how construction’s mental health crisis affects families, particularly children. Stress at work doesn’t stay at work. Burnout, anxiety, and emotional strain at home can have a serious impact on children’s mental health, especially when support is lacking.

By encouraging healthier conversations in the workplace, we set a stronger example and build a better support network for the next generation.

Mental Health Courses Available

We offer a wide range of mental health and wellbeing training designed to support individuals, teams, and managers at every level of your organisation. These include:

Core Mental Health First Aid

• Become a certified Mental Health First Aider with our full Adult MHFA course
• Keep your skills current with our MHFA Refresher (recommended every 3 years)
• Gain a recognised qualification with our Level 2 Mental Health First Aid (RQF)

Awareness & Wellbeing Workshops

• Introductory Mental Health Awareness sessions to build understanding across your team
• Stress and Wellbeing Workshops offering practical tools to manage pressure
• Grief First Aid for those supporting colleagues through loss and bereavement
• Mental Health Skills for Managers to help leaders support staff effectively
• Mental Health Champion training to promote positive culture across your organisation

Youth & Children’s Mental Health

• Youth Mental Health Awareness sessions for early understanding
• Youth Mental Health Champion training to advocate for young people’s wellbeing
• Full Youth Mental Health First Aid qualification (MHFA)
• Youth MHFA Refresher to maintain confidence and competence

Contact us to discuss your requirements, and we’ll recommend the best-fit solution, whether you’re looking for public courses or dedicated sessions delivered on site.

Taking the Next Step as an Industry

The industry is finally beginning to move in the right direction, but awareness alone isn’t enough. Real progress means turning conversations into action.

That’s why we proudly support the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, whose work continues to provide a lifeline to those in need. From their 24/7 confidential helpline and free wellbeing app, to their on-site Make It Visible tours, they’re reaching workers where support is needed most — on the ground, in real time.

At the same time, more businesses are recognising the value of practical, industry-focused mental health training, not just as a compliance requirement, but as a core part of their responsibility to staff. Supporting your team shouldn’t be complicated, it should be second nature. Investing in the right training today can help prevent crisis tomorrow.

Ready to Make Mental Health a Priority?

Whether you're a company director, site manager, or individual worker, there's a role to play in improving mental health in construction. Training is one of the most effective tools we have, not just to meet obligations, but to truly care for the people who keep the industry moving.

We offer a wide range of mental health first aid training, awareness sessions, and tailored onsite options, all designed with the construction sector in mind.

Get in touch to discuss your requirements, and we’ll help you find the right solution, whether that’s a place on a public course or a dedicated training session delivered on site.

Let’s stop treating mental health as an afterthought and start building a safer, more supportive industry for everyone.