THE Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is marking National Stress Awareness Day by urging building companies across the UK to prioritise mental wellbeing.
With the construction industry facing challenges including an ageing workforce, skills shortages, economic uncertainty, and demanding project deadlines, the FMB said builders are experiencing heightened levels of workplace stress.
The organisation is calling on members and the wider construction sector to use Stress Awareness Day as an opportunity to be open and have conversations about mental health and signpost employees to support services if needed.
The FMB added that studies show around 73% of the UK’s construction workers have been affected by mental illness, with reports that almost a third experience daily anxiety.
FMB chief executive Brian Berry said, “National Stress Awareness Day is an important reminder that mental health must be made a priority in the construction industry. Builders face unique pressures with tough working conditions, long days, huge physical demands, job insecurity, and time away from their families -all of which can take a significant toll on mental wellbeing.
“As an industry, we need to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and create environments where workers feel comfortable talking about it and comfortable reaching out when they’re struggling. The statistics are stark: construction workers are at higher risk of suicide than the general population. Not to mention the millions of pounds in costs because of stress-related absences that the industry forks out for each year.
“I would like our members and the wider construction industry to take this opportunity to check in with their teams, promote the support services available, and remind workers that help is always at hand.”
