MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health
The NAS is proud to have signed up to the Building Mental Health Charter to adopt and commit to its core principles, it can be found here.
Statistics show that each day, two UK construction workers take their own life. One fifth of the construction workforce at any one time is unable to work due to stress, anxiety and/or depression, and those are the ones who report in with the real reasons they are off.
A former colleague once confided in me many years ago that their two weeks off sick with a ‘bad back’ was in fact crushing depression. They were worried about the stigma attached to this and did not feel their Site Manager would understand. Little did my colleague know, that very same Site Manager was on a Mental Health First Aider course whilst he was away sick. He too had suffered from depression and anxiety and wanted to “do more” to help his friends, family, colleagues and site team.
I genuinely feel the stigma of mental health within our industry is slowly diminishing, but there remains much work to be done. This is one of the reasons I qualified as a Mental Health First Aider, and am honoured to represent the NAS in relation to the subject of mental health.
We all know that Physical Health First Aid is a mandatory requirement within our industry, before long this will be (and should be, without question!) the same in relation to Mental Health First Aid.
– Lorraine Shepherd, NAS Training Manager
Mental Health
Please use the dropdowns below to find information relating to Mental Health.
Although each individual mental health condition may have its own unique symptoms, the warning signs are often less clear. They often overlap.
It is important for Mental Health First Aiders to remember it is not your responsibility to diagnose someone, but to become more aware so that we know when we need to approach someone to have a conversation.
The key is to pick up on changes in the persons usual thoughts, emotions or behaviours, although physical signs are also common. Mental ill health affects the whole person. Things to watch out for include:
Psychological signs (thoughts and emotions)
Irritability
Aggression
Tearfulness
Fearfulness
Indecision
Inability to concentrate
Loss of confidence
Memory lapses and confusion
Loss of humour
Low self esteem
Suspiciousness
Physical signs
Frequent headaches
Aches and pains
Frequent stomach upsets
Sleeping issues
Weight loss or gain
Constant tiredness
Lack of care in their appearance
Low energy/fatigue
Behavioural Signs
Social withdrawal
Argumentative/regular conflict
Socially unacceptable behaviour
Being louder and more animated
Increased dependence on caffeine/alcohol/cigarettes/drugs
Self-harm
Eating disorders
Work patterns of behaviour
Difficulty carrying out usual tasks
Procrastination
Missed deadlines
Forgotten tasks
Increased absence
Increased errors
Overworking (First in/Last out)
Being unable to switch off when out of work (emailing out of hours/whilst on holiday etc).
Free downloads from Mates in Mind
Spotting the Signs (flowchart)
Spotting the Signs (A4 poster)
Videos
Elephant in the Transit c/o Ford UK (30 secs)
Gary’s Story c/o Crossrail (2 mins)
Lighthouse Charity c/o Building Mental Health (3 mins)
Mental Health in Construction c/o Wates Group (5 mins)
Depression, a Civil Engineer’s story c/o The Shed Online (7 mins)
Depression and Me (Denise and Chloe’s Mental Health Journeys) c/o MHFA England (7 mins)
Stranger on the Bridge c/o Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn (18 mins)
Resources and Tools
MIND Charity: Different types of Mental Health Problems
Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy
c/o Everymind at Work – Mental Health; Employers Duty of Care
Toolbox Talks
Building Mental Health
Construction Related
Prevention of suicide in young people
Addiction and substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, gambling)
Drinkline – Phone only: 0300 123 1100 FREEPHONE Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat & Sun 11am-4pm
Psychosis
Action on Postpartum Psychosis
Self Harm
Anxiety
Depression
OCD & Phobias
Bereavement
Rape Crisis
Childhood Abuse
National Association for People Abused in Childhood
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Finding a Therapist
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+)
Eating Disorders
