GRAHAM is today highlighting the range of support services available to its male workforce on International Men’s Day.
Employing 355 men across its Building North division, GRAHAM revealed it ensures team members have ‘meaningful access’ to professional help across a range of areas.
A 2020 ONS report found that the suicide rate among male construction workers was three times higher than the national average.
Staff at GRAHAM have access to the firm’s dedicated Wellzone app, which features a library of support videos, podcasts and tools providing guidance on personal matters, ranging from finance to fitness, and how to seek professional advice on situations including domestic abuse and grief.
Three members of the team have also completed Applied Suicide Prevention Skills Training (ASIST) and aid the mental wellbeing of their peers throughout the region. Over 30 GRAHAM employees have been trained as mental health first aiders, equipped with the skills to spot the warning signs of poor mental health, provide initial assistance, and help colleagues access professional advice they may need.
Working with Glasgow-based charity Men Matter, GRAHAM has also rolled out a programme of wellbeing workshops on live sites across Scotland and Northern Ireland and will soon extend those into York. As part of an ongoing partnership with Men Matter, staff at GRAHAM have undertaken a sponsored 18km walk along the John Muir Way, which raised £1,200 for the charity.
Debbie Rutherford, head of social impact and support services at GRAHAM Building North, said, “It is crucial that the construction industry works hard to enhance the support available for the mental health and wellbeing of our people — the most valuable asset of any business. I am incredibly proud that we foster an environment at GRAHAM where men are encouraged to look out for one another and seek help when needed.
“The feedback from those who have attended our Men Matter sessions has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the importance of our partnership with the charity. In fact, some participants have found the sessions so impactful that they’ve suggested making them mandatory for all GRAHAM employees. This kind of feedback inspires us to continue strengthening our internal support network, ensuring that everyone has access to the best possible resources, both on and off the construction site.”
