Construction workers are four times more likely to die by suicide, with 7,000 lives having been tragically lost this way, a report has said.
The research by social media company On The Tools found that 73% of the UK’s 2.1 million construction workers have been affected by mental illness, according to a report by Sky News. In the last decade 7,000 have taken their own lives.
“If doctors or teachers were seeing those rates of suicide in any other industry, I think there would be a national outcry,” said On The Tools’ Alice Brookes.
“But, because it’s construction, I think people don’t necessarily have the best perception of tradespeople, it’s being ignored.
“When four times the number of people are dying by suicide – who will build our hospitals, who will build our schools, maintain our roads and infrastructure?” Brookes questioned.
The company is trying to raise £2.5m to fund counselling for workers in the industry. The report also found that work absences related to mental illness are costing the industry £2.7bn a year, said Sky.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or, in the UK, can email jo@samaritans.org
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