Mental Health Awareness Resources

The Home Builders Federation is working closely with construction charity, the Lighthouse Club to promote mental health awareness across the home building sector. There are a number of resources and information available for employees who are experiencing mental health issues, which can be accessed below, please feel free to use and circulate these.

HBF has created some resources below to help illustrate the mental health crisis facing the construction industry and how organisations and employees can help to bring more awareness and support those in need.

Increasing mental health awareness continues to be a big issue across many industries. Home building is a varied and exciting industry but work pressures can also be high. Following HBFs mental health awareness campaign, more home builders are providing training and information to help support their employees but where do small home builders or supply chain businesses start?

This webinar helps smaller businesses to understand mental health conditions and to provide some of the tools needed to create their own mental health strategies that fit their business. Providing advice on where to start, common mental health issues and communicating with employees, this webinar includes speakers from a number of major home builders who sharing their learning through industry case studies. Speakers include:

Paul Curry, Chair of the HBF Mental Health group and Group Training Manager - Persimmon Homes
Emma Balfour - Barratt Homes
Heidi Khoshtaghaza - Bellway Homes
Marion Whitty - Countryside Properties
Victoria Anthony - Galliard Homes

Click here for Q&A Session

Will Mental Health feature in SSIP accreditations and will house builders be favouring contractors who demonstrate commitment to Mental Health & Wellbeing?

We would certainly see Mental Health featuring in SSIP accreditations in the future and would support that as a sector. Mental health is covered under health and safety legislation and the discussions for mental health first aid to have parity with first aid at work have already started. During a recent HBF Mental Health Group meeting, we discussed and agreed to including commitments from the supply chain during the procurement process, on induction and through site briefings. An action for inclusion during our 2022 action plan and priorities.

Do you think we should be looking more of the root causes of metal heath issues within the industry? E.g. tight programmes!

Yes, there is some work already taking place through the Mind Builder Project which will be available during 2022 which HBF members are part of. The Lighthouse Charity already host sessions on some of the root causes which can be found here. Tight programmes are indeed a factor with more to be done on overall leadership, management and project planning – an item that is also currently being worked on with CITB of which we are supporting.

For years the conversation surrounding mental health has almost been taboo. How would you suggest breaking down that perception within a corporate environment?

Create a simple mental health policy setting out guiding principles. Communicate with employees and raise awareness of mental health issues regularly and consistently. Improve the information on support available to employees through the use of the Lighthouse Club posters or other media. Train staff and managers to recognise that mental health and wellbeing is important. Normalising is a good way of reducing stigma and discrimination. You can do this by educating people in Mental Wellbeing, the more people know about the subject the easier it is to talk about it and break down prejudice.

Do you think the demand for homes is adding to the mental health issues? Site teams demanding jobs are complete to hit their targets?

Yes, the sector still has a huge skills shortage, the impact of Brexit, product availability not forgetting the pandemic of course, all contributing to the well being and mental health challenges of the sector and the construction industry overall. This is why it is vitally important that all tiers the industry recognise and commit to supporting workers during what are increasingly demanding circumstances.

A Toolbox Talk is a fantastic way to deliver information to your workforce on mental health by educating them on the signs to look out for and how to start conversation. The presentation comes with guidance notes, videos and is fully scripted. Simply click below to download in PowerPoint and pdf format.

There are a number of free mental health apps available that can provide individuals with accessing support nearby and help with self care.

Hub of Hope believes that no matter what you're going through, you shouldn't have to do it alone. Find services local to you using geolocation technology.

Woebot - Your friendly self-care expert. Woebot can help to think through situations with step-by-step guidance or learn about yourself with intelligent mood tracking

Industry Resources

Be kind- you don’t know other peoples story. #bekind #kindnessmatters #theonemovement

A 24/7 construction industry helpline is available to provide employees and their families with support on 0345 605 1956.

For those that do not feel comfortable discussing their feelings or personal circumstances, a construction industry helpline app has been created to give individuals information, advice and guidance on how to relieve the long term effects of stress, anxiety, depression. To find out more and to access the app visitwww.constructionindustryhelpline.com/our-app.html.

To actively promote the helpline and the support that is available to your employees, helpline packs and stickers are available to purchase. Providing your offices with posters and cards. To purchase your helpline pack visit www.constructionindustryhelpline.com/store/c2/Construction_Industry_Helpline_Packs.html

The risk of suicide amongst male labourers, particularly in construction, is 3 times the male national average. Andy’s Man Club is a volunteer led service, currently with meeting places across the North and South Coast.

It offers a safe, welcoming space for men to meet and talk in an informal, supportive environment. Its popularity has grown hugely since it was started in memory of Andy, who died from suicide in 2016.

For more information and to find your nearest meeting point visit http://andysmanclub.co.uk

My Whole Self Day is a celebratory day that aims to create a culture where people have the safety and freedom to choose which parts of their identity they share at work, without fear of judgement. MHFA England host the event and have created some helpful resources to support employees too.

My Whole Self MOT - This free guide helps individuals check in and on other's mental health and wellbeing. It can be a useful tool to talk about mental health during any one-to-one sessions with direct reports,

Run a My Whole Self activity- Over 2,000 employees surveyed found team building activities the best wellbeing support. MHFA England has created three activity ideas to help build deeper connection among teams

Supporting your mental health while working from home - As many people continue to work from home, MHFA England has created some guidance for ways to support your mental health while working from home.

Tackling Work-Related Stress: A step by step workbook - Stress is a major cause of sickness absence and costs organisations £5 billion a year in the UK. This workbook will help organisations to assess risks to employees and give practical advice and guidance on how to manage work-related stress.

Prevent Work-Related Stress: Talking Toolkit - The Health & Safety Executive has joined forces with the Construction Leadership Council to encourage the whole industry to start a conversation about employee stress. To ensure that every business has the support it needs to look after its employees, this toolkit provides guidance on how to prevent work related stress in construction.

The Stress Indicator Tool (SIT) - The Indicator tool is free to pilot for a maximum of 50 employees. The tool is online and measures the attitudes and perceptions of employees towards work-related stress and then provides anonymous feedback. It is a quick and easy way to determine the extent to which work-related stress is a problem.

Mind, the mental health charity, has created some helpful guides for employees and line managers to address and support employees wellbeing at work. The guides provide different approaches to managing the mental health of staff and tackle the causes of work-related mental health issues.

A Mental Health First Aider is the dedicated person to go to for anyone experiencing some form of mental health issue. They are trained to recognise the symptoms of mental health and can guide those in are in need before it issues escalate.

To become a Mental Health First Aider for your organisation, there are a number of companies you can contact for training by visiting https://www.buildingmentalhealth.net/resources.html#training. A number of resources on Mental Health First Aid for employers and employees are available for you to use below.

The Recovery Village® aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioural health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. To find out more visit www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/.

Rehab 4 Addiction, an advisory service founded to assist those affected by substance misuse, has produced a new infographic outlining the steps individuals can take to protect their mental health during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The infographic is a helpful resource with tips on:

Recognising mental health problems in others
Statistics on the impact of remote working arrangements on the mental health of employees
A confidential helpline
Looking after your mental health during the pandemic.

For further information, please view the infographic here.

Increasing Mental Health Awareness in House Building

Mental health Awareness in Home Building

HBF Mental Health Awareness Campaign

HBF Mental Health Awareness campaign (Welsh version)

Managing Mental Health: Supporting your employees webinar

Upcoming Events

Toolbox Talks

Building Mental Health Toolbox Talk - Powerpoint

Building Mental Health Toolbox Talk - PDF

Mental Health Apps

10 Keys to Happier Living

Industry Resources

Construction Helpline Promotional Video

Andy's Man Club

MHFA England: My Whole Self

Health and Safety Executive Resources

MIND - Wellness Action Plans

Employees Wellness Action Plans

Line Managers Wellness Action Plans

Becoming a Mental Health First Aider

Guidance for Employers

Guidance for Mental health first aiders

Line Managers Resource Screen.pdf

The Recovery Village

Protecting mental health during the coronavirus pandemic