{"id":480354,"date":"2023-06-05T06:50:31","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T05:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=480354"},"modified":"2023-06-02T16:19:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T15:19:15","slug":"website-launched-for-workers-who-have-nowhere-to-turn-for-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/health-and-safety\/mind-matters\/website-launched-for-workers-who-have-nowhere-to-turn-for-help-05-06-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Website launched for workers who have ‘nowhere to turn for help’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A website has been launched as part of the drive to reduce suicides and improve wellbeing in the construction industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span> Make It Visible portal<\/span><\/a> provides access to information, advice and guidance, and is a pathway to free support.<\/span><\/p>\n

Its content \u2013 based on research carried out by the Lighthouse Club Construction Industry Charity \u2013 features sections on emotional, physical and financial wellbeing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within each are learning and self-help tools, as well as suggested ways for people to assess whether they need to seek further help from professionals, such as for depression. A map of \u2018Lighthouse Beacons\u2019 \u2013 drop-in self-help groups \u2013 is included for those working away from home to find other people to speak to in a non-judgemental environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Office for National Statistics data shows that people working in construction are three times more likely to take their own lives than those in other industries. Every working day, two construction workers are lost to suicide in the UK and Ireland.<\/span><\/p>\n

The website has been developed with funding from the Construction Industry Training Board and is overseen by Lighthouse. It forms part of the<\/span> Make It Visible initiative<\/span><\/a>, which brings contractors, clients and professional bodies together to tackle the industry\u2019s poor record on mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lighthouse chief executive Bill Hill said: \u201cThis portal is for everyone in our industry to use, especially those in the trades and agency workers, who often have nowhere to turn for help in a crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been created by the industry, funded by the industry for all the workforce and their families working in our industry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The portal has been developed as a website rather than an app to ensure anyone with a smartphone or computer can fully access it, regardless of which device or browser they use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hill added: \u201cEvery physical safety measure is taken to protect our workers, but whilst we\u2019ve been shouting safety, we\u2019ve been whispering health.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re not on top of your game and you\u2019re struggling emotionally, physically or financially, <\/span>makeitvisible.info<\/span><\/a> will give you instant access to information, advice and guidance, and a pathway to free support.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

An online launch event was held recently, hosted by the Supply Chain Sustainability School and attended by more than 280 people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, <\/span>Construction News<\/span><\/i>\u2019 Mind Matters survey<\/span><\/a> found that a third of construction workers have avoided taking time off despite struggling with stress and mental health issues.<\/span> Of those that did take time off<\/span><\/a>, 59 per cent avoided telling their employer the reason.<\/span><\/p>\n