Ex-England footballer and Causeway Technologies mental health ambassador Trevor Steven and representatives from Lendlease met with Maria Caulfield MP at a construction site in London to discuss the ongoing mental health crisis in construction.

Last year, Causeway Technologies launched a significant lobbying campaign to encourage companies to pledge greater support for mental health. Part of the campaign advocates for mental health provision to be included in Health & Safety and Social Value procurement conditions in construction contracts.

Trevor will be appearing at DCW in June to discuss the campaign and its latest findings.

Maria Caulfield MP, Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy, heard how a recent industry survey of 1,439 construction site workers found that 56% are currently experiencing or have experienced mental health problems including anxiety and depression. 12% of respondents said they had experienced or were experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Maria Caulfield said: “Businesses must create a work environment that supports and protects their workers, both physically and mentally.

“It’s great to see Causeway and Lendlease taking positive steps to destigmatise mental health conversations in the construction industry and I hope this signals lasting change for the wider industry to champion mental health support for their employees.”

Trevor Steven commented “We strongly believe that intervention on site is key to improving mental health in construction and that we need to commit to doing better, which is why we’re campaigning for mental health to be as seriously regarded in the industry as health and safety.

“We’ve had some very frank conversations over the last 18 months about the reality of working in the construction industry and it is clear Mental health is the true health and safety crisis in the construction industry. We hope we can count on the support of the government to back our campaign and help us move the dial on this most important issue.”

Also in attendance at the meeting was Matthew Hartill, a scaffolder who works for Lyndon SGB, part of BrandSafway, who shared his story of struggle with poor mental health and suicidal thoughts, which eventually led to him becoming a mental health ambassador for fellow construction workers.

The meeting took place at Google’s King’s Cross development, where Lendlease is implementing industry-leading mental health initiatives to support its workforce.

Anna Evans, Public Sector Framework Director for Lendlease Construction, said: “We’re determined to improve the conversation around mental health and it was really encouraging to see Trevor and Maria Caulfield on site discussing an issue that, as a society, we’re still getting comfortable with talking about.”

Written by: Causeway Technologies
Stand number: D430