Tackling Mental Health with Willmott Dixon

One of the UK’s largest contractors, Willmott Dixon, is going all out with a new mental health initiative.

All Safe Minds was launched in September, with the aim to provide a quick and easy point of reference for construction colleagues in need of support.

Willmott Dixon say despite major steps in the right direction being made, the construction sector still has a lot of work to do; especially when it comes to the issue of getting men to talk about their feelings.

The All Safe Minds campaign sets out three points to ensure that everyone working on its many project sites across the UK, is fully aware of the support network available.

The first is to recognise warning signs and be aware if you or someone you know is struggling to cope. 

The second is to reach out and start the conversation. Talk to someone you trust if you’ve been feeling low or stressed for a prolonged period of time. Likewise, if you notice a colleague is struggling, lend an ear and offer your support; it can make all the difference.

The third and final step is to rebuild; use the resources available to TAKE BACK CONTROL.

Recent studies commissioned by Public Health England (PHE) found that certain groups of male construction workers were at greatest risk of suicide, with figures at a staggering 3.7 times above the national average.

The All Safe Minds campaign will make it as easy as possible for vulnerable workers to tap into a variety of resources, and is also working on a suite of supporting material that will be issued to everyone on site, for their own personal use, should they ever feel the need.

Mark French is Head of Health, Safety and Environment for Willmott Dixon Group, comments: “Men are famous for not addressing their emotional issues, and when you add that to working in such a high-pressure industry, the results can be catastrophic.

“The purpose of All Safe Minds is to provide an easy route for anyone feeling they might need some support – providing them with the tools they need to make the all-important first steps.

“The 3 Rs; Recognise, Reach out, Rebuild, need to become second nature as we go about our daily routine and we need to completely dispel the idea that mental health problems are a taboo. Encouraging mental fitness is imperative in such a highly charged industry – the issue is real, it is NOT a weakness, and we have to offer the right support when we spot it.”

For more information, visit www.willmottdixon.co.uk/how-we-do-it/all-safe-minds