Mental health

Danny Clarke is commercial director of the National Federation of Builders In a world where equality, diversity and inclusion have become central themes in discussions around the modern workplace, one facet often remains unexplored to the degree it should – neurodiversity. This vital aspect of human diversity, encompassing conditions such…

A quarter of construction workers consider themselves to be neurodiverse, according to a report by the National Federation of Builders (NFB). The figure is higher than that of the general public, among whom one in seven is estimated to have a neurodiverse condition. Neurodiversity refers to different thinking styles that…

Construction industry charity Lighthouse Club lost £217,000 last year on an investment portfolio of £1.75m, although it said its position has since recovered significantly. The Ipswich-based charity tackles mental health in the construction industry, providing administrative, financial and emotional support to struggling workers and affected families. It operates a helpline,…

A website has been launched as part of the drive to reduce suicides and improve wellbeing in the construction industry. The Make It Visible portal provides access to information, advice and guidance, and is a pathway to free support. Its content – based on research carried out by the Lighthouse…

Ian Weinfass is Deputy Editor of Construction News We’ve been looking ahead to the next 12 months in recent days on CN with our people, companies and projects to watch for in 2023. I’m also going to go out on a limb and predict the following for 2023: there will…

The number of suicides in the construction sector has risen to its highest level in at least five years, as a new industry initiative launches to tackle the issue. According to an analysis of Office for National Statistics figures by the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and Professor Billy Hare at…

Framework provider Pagabo’s parent group has acquired mental health tech brand Moodbeam for an undisclosed sum, as part of a drive to break down the stigma surrounding emotional wellbeing in the construction industry. The 55 Group, Pagabo’s parent company, said it hoped that the monitoring technology would have a “significant…

Framework provider Pagabo has committed to incorporate mental health safeguards into its procurement processes in a bid to improve the sector’s “less than perfect” track record on employee wellbeing. The move was sparked by a report last month from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Issues Affecting Men and Boys, which…

Details of contractors’ mental health provisions should be written into contracts to help tackle a “national emergency” within the sector, a parliamentary group has advised. Highlighting what mental health support is available to staff working on jobs would entrench a greater focus on wellbeing and ensure it is “on par…

Construction industry charity the Lighthouse Club has joined a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) mental health campaign in the hope of reaching small businesses. The group, which provides financial and emotional support to construction workers and their families, is now a partner in the Working Minds campaign, launched by the…