Mental health issues in 'brutal' building industry

Matt, a carpenter from Medway, says construction is an "unforgiving" and "brutal" industry

Kent tradespeople say feelings of loneliness at work are impacting their mental health.

Two construction workers on average take their own lives each working day and mental health issues are around four times as prevalent in the industry than the general population, according to mental health charity Mates in Mind.

Matt, a carpenter from Medway, said tradespeople face multiple pressures including poor weather, tool theft and isolation.

He told BBC Radio Kent that construction was "unforgiving" and "brutal", and there were "clearly issues" within the industry.

Tony Steel, operations director at construction charity Band of Builders, said people in the industry "put our own stigma in place".

"People think that if you talk about mental health you are showing a weakness and it isn't a weakness at all," he added.

Mr Steel told BBC Radio Kent that mental ill-health is "no different to having a sprained ankle" and people can get help to recover.

The charity boss said construction was "an amazing, fantastic industry" that he encourages people to join, and his organisation was offering a "support network for people, should they need it".

Banter 'very important'

Isle of Sheppey bricklayer Tom Hutchinson, who typically works with his brother, said work was "definitely more boring" on jobs where he works alone.

He and his brother talk about mental health "more than most" but when working alone on smaller jobs or due to holidays "that's obviously not there".

"Banter and things like that are very important, and it is quite social," Mr Hutchinson added.

According to Mr Steel, solo tradespeople might have "no interaction" if working alone.

He said: "If they're starting to experience depression there's just no-one that can spot the signs."

Matt from Medway said feelings of isolation could extend to busy construction sites too due to financial pressures, tight schedules and a lack of the "camaraderie that there used to be".

The carpenter added: "If you work in an office or if there's time where things are a little bit more quiet, people have a cup of tea, have a conversation.

"On the site it's noisy. You're here, there and everywhere. There's not that period where people can actually sit and talk."

• If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support and advice is available via BBC Action Line