Men in the UK are three times more likely to die by suicide, and in construction – a male dominated sector – men are three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average for men. A report by the Chartered Institute of Building found that 26% of construction industry professionals thought about taking their own lives in 2019, 56% of construction professionals work for organisations with no policies on mental health in the workplace, and that 70% of respondents experienced depression and 87% experienced anxiety over the past year.

Furthermore, stress, anxiety, and depression account for one-fifth of work-related illnesses, resulting in 70 million days off sick per year at an estimated annual cost of £70bn-£100bn according to the National Building Specification. Suicide now kills more construction workers than falls every year, with 1-2 lives lost every working day.

These shocking statistics illustrate the urgent action required to address mental health issues within the built environment sector. This timely event will outline best practice for mental health support in construction, with guidelines from industry experts, and success stories from leading stakeholders. It will cover vital topics including implementing cultural change, reducing stigma, and systematic and holistic approaches to leadership.