Warning – mentions of mental health and suicide.

Data from the Department of Health and Social Care reported that the main cause of death in men under 50 was suicide, coupled by a surge in calls to a construction charity from tradespeople suggests a vulnerability within the sector, says Fix Radio.

New research from Fix Radio shows 38% of tradesmen are now experiencing the worst levels of stress and anxiety in their lifetime, while construction charity, Lighthouse reports receiving 400 calls a month from families from the construction industry.

With national helpline, The Big Brew revealing that over a third of texts were from tradespeople contemplating suicide, with 80% of its calls occuring Monday to Friday.

This all comes at a time where the construction sector continues to be impacted by material shortages and new environmental directives; leaving approximately 27% of SMEs in the trade on the verge of breaking point, says Fix Radio.

Clive Holland, host of The Clive Holland Show comments: “There is a lot of stress involved in running a small business – there are long hours, few holidays, slow payers and cash flow issues.

“In the last two years particularly, spiralling costs of materials and spiking energy prices have squeezed margins even further. Couple that with the growing skills shortage – it ramps up extra pressures on daily site life.”

Where can tradespeople go for help?

The Lighthouse offers support to the construction community in the UK and Ireland, offering a range of free and pro-active services.

Services include a 24/7 helpline covering all aspects of emotional, physical and financial wellbeing, available in a number of languages. In addition to a Text HardHat 24/7 service.

A self-support app called ‘Construction Industry Helpline’, CPD Accredited wellbeing education sessions, and ‘Lighthouse Beacons’, over 160 volunteer centers around the UK and Ireland accessible to workers.

Almost 70% of tradespeople said that there is still a stigma within the sector surrounding seeking help for mental health problems, according to industry research.

In light of Men’s Mental Health Month, Fix Radio aims to improve accessibility to the support on offer, helping those affected by poor mental health and/ or the repercussions of the negative stigma around speaking up.