Steve Kerslake, a groundworker from Romford, said the construction industry faces a crisis
(Picture: BBC Press Office )A BBC programme set to air on Friday evening will explore the hidden mental health crisis on Britain’s construction sites.
Coping in Construction, which will air on BBC One at 7.30pm, examines the reasons behind the high suicide rate among workers on building sites in Britain.
An average of two construction workers take their own lives every working day, according to the Office for National Statistics. The rate is twice as high as in many other occupations.
A survey by charity Mates in Mind also found that two-thirds of employees in the industry believed stigma was a barrier to discussing their mental health.
Steve Kerslake, a groundworker from Romford who features in the programme, was the victim of an acid attack in 2019 which caused him to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder.
Speaking to the Standard, he said there was “no support” for builders working on sites.
“The pressure is getting worse and the current economic climate doesn’t help,” he said.
More recently, he set up charity Construction Sport which helps to alleviates workers’ mental health through playing sport.
“When I returned to the industry I noticed everyone else I was working with had the same issues. There were lads who hadn’t seen their family due to Covid or guys from across Europe who had been brought up in traumatic circumstances.
“We also worked with people who came out of the military who have been involved with multiple conflicts and ex-prisoners. They’ve all been affected by trauma in some way”.
He added: “We are good at getting stuck in and working with our hands, but there’s never been a duty of care in our industry – and it’s crazy to think that doesn’t exist.”
Mr Kerslake, 33, said that sport had helped many construction workers with their mental issues.
“We’ve been on kickabouts with guys that have been in some dark places and they say that it helps them. We don’t always talk about their issues, but we’re addressing it by just playing a bit of sport.
“When you’re playing football or rugby you just focus on what’s in front of you, and that gives you a window to clear your head.”
Lee Roland, a former construction site worker and carpenter who will also feature on the programme, has been battling anxiety and depression for most of his life.
“From the age of 14 I felt like I wasn’t good enough. My mental health got worse and worse over time,” he told the Standard. Over the course of his young adult life, Mr Roland said he had contemplated taking his own life at multiple points.
“As a construction worker, you don’t always get a lot of the pastoral care that people in other industries get because you’re self-employed. The hours are long and there are a lot of people that work away from home,” he said.
“Unfortunately, with the long hours and the way the industry works, people often develop drinking and drug habits which suck their money away. These all add to the mental health pressures.”
Mr Roland said that the industry being dominated by men - who are less likely to express their feelings - did not help.
“It’s a macho industry, you don’t tell people how you feel. You’re meant to just get on with it.
“I’ve never seen people go up to each other and say, ‘how are you’? Although it is getting more common now.”
Coping In Construction is part of the corporation’s We Are England series, which examines the issues faced by a diverse range of people across the country.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact the Samaritans helpline by calling 116123 .
