Half of outdoor workers in the UK feel pressure to push through stress rather than seek support, as mental health stigma continues to affect industries such as construction, utilities, emergency services and events.
Research released for Stress Awareness Month this April found that 57% of outdoor workers feel there is an expectation to continue working through stress instead of speaking up. More than half (51%) also said they avoid seeking help because they feel they should be able to handle stress themselves, while 43% believe there is still a stigma around mental health in their industry. A similar number (42%) say they do not feel comfortable speaking to their manager, colleagues or peers about stress or mental health concerns.
The study was conducted by Monster-Mesh, a leading event and construction branding specialist.
Mark McLennan, Founder at Monster-Mesh, said: “General stress levels among outdoor workers are high, with almost three-quarters admitting that they currently have moderate to very high stress levels at work. This workplace stress is affecting individuals’ well-being, with many reporting symptoms linked to stress — the most common being anxiety, physical exhaustion, and trouble sleeping. Whilst others reported strained relationships, reduced productivity, time off work, and depression.
“We often think about the physical safety of workers, using protective and preventative equipment and implementing training and processes; however, mental health is just as important. Yet, over a third of outdoor workers (39%) feel that mental health is not taken as seriously as physical health in their industry.”
Support remains out of reach for many
Despite these challenges, relatively few workers are accessing formal support. Almost a third of outdoor workers do not have employer-provided mental health support, while others are unsure if support is available or choose not to use it. As a result, only around a quarter of outdoor workers use workplace mental health support.
The issue is particularly acute in male-dominated industries such as construction, agriculture and utilities. A recent survey of tradespeople found that 90% had experienced high stress this year, with 36% doing so on a weekly basis.
Lucas Whitehead, Head of Partnerships at Andy’s Man Club, said: “It is disappointing to find that 57% of outdoor workers believe that there is an expectation for them to continue working through stress. Heightened stress or anxiety in the workplace is likely to lead to mistakes or lapses in concentration, and in this field specifically, it will increase the risk of danger.
“A high proportion of men who take their own lives haven’t reached out to support services before they do so. So the fact that 51% of those working outdoors believe stress is something they should simply ‘deal with’ is no doubt a contributing factor to this. Stress is something that is casually addressed by too many in society, when it should be recognised as an important issue.
“Looking into organisations like Andy’s Man Club or reaching out for help via CALM or Samaritans can be a first step for many in finding the help they need.”
Taking the message to the worksite
In response to the findings, Monster-Mesh has partnered with Andy’s Man Club to raise awareness of mental health across construction and other outdoor industries through its #ItIsOkayToTalk initiative. The campaign uses branded fence covers and barrier covers to promote open conversations about mental health directly on construction sites, making support more visible and accessible to workers who might otherwise struggle in silence.
Experts note that addressing workplace stress through visible campaigns can contribute to safer working environments, as unmanaged stress may impact concentration and decision-making in high-risk settings. Broader UK data on workplace mental health consistently highlights the need for employers to treat psychological well-being with the same priority as physical safety.
Further information about the survey findings and the #ItIsOkayToTalk fence covers is available on the Monster-Mesh website.