People commonly face mental health challenges, particularly when grappling with feelings of guilt, which is also prevalent among construction workers. As a result, advocates are pushing to prioritize mental health, as the construction industry focuses on safety standards.
(Photo : Unsplash/Scott Blake )
Including Mental Health in the Next Iteration of Contracts
Marc Preston, a quantity surveyor at the time, found himself at the scene of a fire causing millions in damages. However, it was not the dramatic fire that lingered in his memory two decades later; instead, it was witnessing a colleague turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for the guilt stemming from the accident. There was reportedly a significant increase in the stigma associated with mental health because it was seldom discussed.
As mentioned, Preston operates New Foundation, a construction worker counseling program. He is one of several asking for mental health to be considered as important as health and safety in construction procurement. A legal mechanism that would allow clients to hold contractors accountable for providing help to their workers and those in the supply chain would be a game-changer in the fight to end the mental health catastrophe occurring in the construction industry.
Additionally, Preston has been advocating for the inclusion of optional mental health elements for the next set of Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) contracts scheduled to be released this year. As per the Royal Institute of British Architects, adding mandatory mental health provisions for contractors and developers to JCT 2024 would significantly impact the procurement practices of firms: 59% of firms prefer to use JCT contracts,
Thus, a representative for JCT, it is stated that there are currently no plans to incorporate particular mental health clauses into the subsequent installment of contracts. Nevertheless, he emphasized that as part of the procurement process, the parties could converse about more general concerns, such as social value and well-being, well-being, and mental health.
Also Read: Top 5 Best Robotics Companies in Construction Sector
Mental Health Awareness in the Construction Industry
The first step in managing mental health in the construction sector is understanding and awareness of the situation. Businesses and their employees need to have a solid understanding of mental health and its impact on many aspects of well-being.
In the realm of safety, the construction industry has made remarkable advancements in protecting its people from bodily injury. On the other hand, traditional industry safety initiatives concentrate almost solely on physical loss and pay the least amount of attention to mental health and wellness efforts. Accordingly, it is necessary to take a more holistic approach to examining worker health and safety, considering not only the physical well-being of workers but also their mental and emotional well-being.
Based on a study conducted by Mates In Mind in 2022, more than two-thirds of construction workers believe that there is a stigma associated with mental health, which prevents them from discussing it among themselves. Moreover, 91% of construction workers have experienced feelings of being overwhelmed, and an additional 26% have had thoughts of suicide, which shows that the risk is too high to ignore mental health assistance improvement.
Related Article: Important Tips for Safeguarding Your Construction Site Against Natural Calamities
