Mental health covers a wide range of issues, from mild or moderate anxiety and stress; to drug and alcohol abuse; to disorders such as severe depression and schizophrenia. However, the phrase mental health and wellbeing also relates to general mental and emotional health, and a worker’s  ability to cope with the normal stresses of life.

This year, we must acknowledge the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on society in general. All of our lives and routines have been affected by measures introduced to contain the virus and protect the population. Many construction workers were unable to work, and this created a challenging situation for their mental health and wellbeing.

According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), 18.5% of the Irish population has a mental health disorder. This places Ireland 3rd highest in Europe (after Finland and the Netherlands) in the estimated prevalence of mental health issues.

Spectrum Life shared stark statistics, which highlighted that:

  • One in four deaths of young men aged 15-39 in Ireland is due to alcohol
  • Suicide is the leading cause of death among young Irish men aged 15 to 24
  • Alcohol is a factor in more than half of completed suicides in Ireland, and in over one-third of episodes of deliberate self-harm.

 In August 2020, the Construction Industry Federation published a report on ‘Mental Health in the Construction Sector’. This document outlines recommendations from a detailed survey of members. It represents a benchmark of industry progress towards a working culture that protects, supports and nurtures employee wellbeing. The resultant recommendations for companies are as follows:

  1. Prioritise the project management and supervision of each job to establish and maintain
    1. Realistic deadlines
    2. Clear communication between management and staff
    3. Healthy working hours and working periods
  2. Develop a collaborative company culture where teamwork and support are encouraged and rewarded. Senior management need to “demonstrate and not just articulate that teamwork matters”.
  3. Assign responsibility for mental health to a senior member of the company. The assigned individual should then be provided with the resources to deliver a strong support structure.
  4. Engage staff in a frank discussion on mental health with the aim of developing appropriate policies and procedure.
  5. Develop succinct and jargon free mental health policies and procedures. These should be clearly communicated to all staff.
  6. Introduce an open and confidential process whereby employees can report a mental health issue.
  7. Consider and invest in a range of educational initiatives (e.g. talks, workshops, activities) to inform colleagues and promote good mental health in the workplace.
  8. Consider formal training for staff, selecting an accredited course that matches your company’s needs.

Examples of available support include:

Support for Employers

 

Build Health

‘Build Health’ is a joint initiative between the CIF, Laya Healthcare and Spectrum Life that can support both employers and employees in the sector. The mental health and wellbeing support programme offers resources to leaders, and the 24/7 Mental Health Support Programme gives confidential help and advice to those who need it. For more details, see attached or visit the CIF Build Health Webpage: https://wellbeing.spectrum.life/cif/

 

Construction Workers’ Sick Pay Trust

The Trust is committed to the promotion of better health, including mental health and wellbeing for all workers in the construction sector. During 2019, just over 7,000 sick pay benefit claims were paid to members covered by the Scheme. This was regardless of the type of illness, once certified. For information on how to claim, please visit www.cwspt.ie or email sickpay@cwspt.ie or call 01-4977663. 

 

Healthy Ireland

This is a Government-led initiative aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Ireland. It provides a range of support materials which can be accessed at the website, www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together

 

Remedy Clinic

The CIF and Remedy Clinic have also come together to offer members a modern approach to counselling services.

 

Lighthouse Club

On 3rd June 2020, the Lighthouse Club Construction Industry Charity, supported by the CIF, launched a FREE 24/7 confidential employee assistance helpline and app for everyone in the Irish construction industry. The Helpline can be called anytime on 1800 939 122, and the app ‘Construction Industry Helpline’ can be downloaded on android or Apple mobile devices. For more information, visit: https://www.lighthouseclub.org/

 

Support for Individuals

50808

In June of this year, the Health Services Executive launched a text-based mental health service. ‘50808’ is the first service of its kind for Ireland. A free 24/7 text service, it provides everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through mental health or emotional crises. For free 24/7 support in a crisis, text ‘HELLO’ to 50808.

 

Lighthouse Club

On 3rd June 2020, the Lighthouse Club Construction Industry Charity, supported by the CIF, launched a FREE 24/7 confidential employee assistance helpline and app for everyone in the Irish construction industry. The Helpline can be called anytime on 1800 939 122, and the app ‘Construction Industry Helpline’ can be downloaded on android or Apple mobile devices. For more information, visit: https://www.lighthouseclub.org/

 

Pieta House

To speak with a therapist any time, day, or night, freephone 1800 247 247 or text ‘HELP’ to 51444. The Pieta website can be accessed here: https://www.pieta.ie/

 

Aware

Offering support to those in need, Aware’s freephone Support Line is available Monday to Sunday from 10am – 10pm on 1800 80 48 48 or email: supportmail@aware.ie

 

Proverb

The man doesn’t know there is a snake biting the woman… The woman doesn’t know there is a stone crushing the man.

The woman thinks, “I am going to fall, and I can’t climb because the snake is biting me! Why can’t the man use a little strength and pull me up?”

The man thinks, “I am in so much pain! Yet I’m still pulling her up as much as I can. Why doesn’t she try a bit harder to climb?”

Moral: You can’t see the pressure the other person is under, and the other person can’t see the pain that you are in. This is life!