Looking out for each other and S.W.A.G.

18th June 2021

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This may be a bit deep for a Friday afternoon, but it’s an important topic, so here goes. Apologies if this post upsets anyone.

The latest statistics (ONS 2019 figures) show that suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45-49. However, male construction site workers are said to be 3 to 4 times more likely to commit suicide than the average UK male.

They also show that 2 men commit suicide A DAY, every year in the construction industry in England. TWO.

Then, think about the issues we have had through COVID and lockdown and the stress and pressure that it puts on us all. That number, two, will increase.

That is just not good enough, and we have to do something about it.
What can we do about it? Well, we can talk, and we can listen.

It’s not easy to open up to a stranger or even to your mates about how you feel, especially for men as we’re not normally made or engineered that way! A bit like multi-tasking!

Yes, it is weird talking about feelings.
No, it’s not okay to suffer alone.
Yes, there is a stigma attached to mental health.
No, not all mental health is bad.
Yes, it’s easier to bottle it up.
No, it’s not a dead-end street.
Yes, it’s easier to put a brave face on.
But, Yes, there is help available.

Just checking in with our colleagues or guys on site once in a while, can make a huge difference. It doesn’t have to be a full-on interrogation, just a catch-up or “How ya feeling, mate?” may be all they need to know someone is prepared to talk.

Of course, mental health affects more than just men; it affects women too, as well as the outer circles, such as our families and work colleagues.

Over the last couple of days, I and my colleague Andrew Kennedy MRICS have been on a Mental Health First Aider course, provided by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England and Ian Pickard FIIRSM, GradIOSH, RSP, OSHCR, MInstLM

The role of the MHFA is not to treat, diagnose or tell you what’s wrong with you, that’s the professional’s role.

The main role of a MHFA is to listen, talk and guide you in the right direction of where to get professional help.

MacConvilles Surveying are part of the SWAG initiative which was set up in 2020 to provide such help and advice within the construction industry, https://lnkd.in/dec_kru

There is other help like;

Mental Health Foundation – https://lnkd.in/dgPDm8K
Mind Charity – https://www.mind.org.uk/
Rethink Mental Wellness – https://www.rethink.org/
Samaritans – https://lnkd.in/d5QTkpt

There is help out there available to all of us as we all need a re

set now and then.

Have a cracking Friday and weekend !!

Pat.

Since early Autumn 2020, MacConvilles has been actively involved in and pledged affiliation to the Co-Founders of Sussex Wellness Action Group (SWAG). As members of SWAG, we have initially trained two employees, Pat Begley and Andrew Kennedy, to provide Mental Health First Aid. They completed their training this month and are working with the team to develop Mental Health policies to support not only our employees but all involved in the construction industry.