News
Friday 19th September 2025
Improving mental health support in construction
In 2020, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) published a report examining the state of mental health in construction. It found that there was a “silent mental health crisis in the industry”, with a quarter of workers saying they had suicidal thoughts. Five years on, the CIOB has published an updated survey to assess if there has been any progress.
The 2025 report findings
According to the ONS, an estimated 355 people working in skilled construction and building trades died by suicide in 2024. This is one of the largest figures compared to other occupations.
It is not helpful to speculate why someone might have taken their life. However, it is important to consider any factors that may contribute to poor mental health, so that changes can be made. In the construction industry, financial pressures are a common cause for concern because many people are self-employed or work in a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME). Across the UK, SMEs are collectively owed £26bn in late payments. With 16% of these businesses operating in the construction sector, the financial strain not only affects business owners but also the contractors and workers who depend on them.
The CIOB survey also pointed to other factors that may be contributing to poor wellbeing, including:
- Fixed-term contracts and uncertainty over work
- Long hours and long commutes, with 52% of survey respondents saying they often feel fatigue
- Time away from family
- Pressure to complete work within a specific time frame
- A “macho” culture in the industry.
What has changed?
Survey results suggest that more construction workers are experiencing poor mental health than in 2020. This reflects a wider global trend, with levels of anxiety and depression rising since the coronavirus pandemic.
However, there are signs that more support is being put in place to support staff. Over half (54%) of respondents said that their organisation offers access to helplines, up from 38% in 2020. Similarly, 54% said that their workplace has trained mental health first aiders, compared with 35% five years ago.
How can it get better?
It’s important to recognise that poor mental health is not always caused by work alone. Other circumstances can play a part, along with genetic predisposition. However, since we spend so much of our time at work, job-related stress can intensify existing challenges.
The CIOB survey found that workplace culture remains a significant concern within the construction industry. Seven in 10 respondents said they felt stressed by high workloads and time pressures. Poor communication and unrealistic deadlines were also cited as top stressors.
There are practical steps that businesses can take to improve wellbeing in their workplace. Many survey respondents said they would value having 1-1 meetings that focus specifically on mental health, as well as managers who are better able to identify and discuss wellbeing concerns. These actions can signal a genuine commitment to supporting staff, helping to create a culture where people feel able to speak up and access the support they need.