Outdoor workers and tradespeople are calling for a cultural shift across British job sites ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September, urging employers to move away from silence and stigma towards open conversations and practical mental health support.
Led globally by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme, Changing the Narrative on Suicide, encourages individuals, businesses, and communities to normalise discussions around mental health and suicidal behaviour.
The issue is particularly significant in the UK’s trade, construction, and outdoor working sectors. Research from health charity Mates in Mind indicates that male construction workers in the UK are 3.7 times more likely to die by suicide than the national average.
Despite growing awareness across the wider business landscape, practical mental health support on active job sites remains inconsistent.
Survey findings from site branding specialists Monster-Mesh, conducted in partnership with peer-to-peer suicide prevention charity ANDYSMANCLUB, highlight pressures facing workers, including physical exhaustion, tight deadlines, and isolation.
Around a third of outdoor workers have no access to employer-provided mental health support. Others are unsure whether support is available or choose not to use it, meaning only a quarter of the outdoor workforce actually uses workplace mental health resources.
The survey also found that 42% of workers do not feel comfortable speaking to a manager, colleague, or peer about stress or mental health. A further 39% believe mental health is still not taken as seriously as physical safety in their industry.
Bringing mental health support onto job sites
With outdoor and trade roles predominantly male environments, workers may perceive social risks associated with discussing psychological distress. Employers have a duty of care to provide accessible support and make conversations about mental health part of everyday life on site.
Monster-Mesh has launched exclusive #itsokaytotalk fence and barrier covers to bring mental health resources directly to active job sites. The covers feature scannable QR codes that connect workers with local support networks.
Lucas Whitehead, Head of Partnerships at ANDYSMANCLUB, told Monster-Mesh: “Encouraging open conversations whilst making the right support visible and accessible can help workers address stress earlier, preventing it from escalating into a more serious physical or mental health emergency. We face a crisis whereby a high proportion of men do not recognise stress and life crises as mental health challenges, and they are viewed merely as life challenges that we should all get through. Reaching out for help early is key to preventing this escalation.”
“To hear that around three-quarters of outdoor workers report moderate to high stress at work is especially problematic, given the fact that outdoor work is more likely to feature an increased risk of danger. It is paramount that this issue is addressed and that the awareness of services like ours is heightened in the hope that people come forward early before issues develop.”
Whitehead also shared four resources for people experiencing poor mental health at work.
ANDYSMANCLUB
ANDYSMANCLUB runs free peer-to-peer support groups for men aged 18 and over who are going through storms in their lives. Groups take place every Monday at 7pm, excluding bank holidays, with no registration required. More information is available by emailing info@andysmanclub.co.uk or visiting the ANDYSMANCLUB website.
ANDYSMANCLUB is a peer-led charity, so its volunteers are not professional mental health support workers. People who need different or additional support are encouraged to contact one of the other services listed below.
Samaritans
People who need to talk to someone urgently can call Samaritans for free at any time, from any phone, on 116 123.
CALM
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) provides a free and confidential helpline and live chat service, available 7 days a week, for anyone who needs someone to talk to.
NHS 111
People can call 111 free of charge and select option 2 to speak to a mental health professional.
If someone’s life is at immediate risk, call 999.
Further information about the survey findings and the exclusive #itsokaytotalk fence covers is available on the Monster-Mesh website.
The findings underline the pressures faced by outdoor workers and the importance of making mental health support visible, accessible, and part of everyday workplace culture.