Mental Health Awareness HOLDING SLIDE… this to be shown as people enter the room to recognise they are in the right place  When everyone is in the room, move to the next slide.

Why ? Introduce yourself … then go on to explain WHY we are doing this session on Mental Health Our industry is one of the most dangerous environments to work in…. CLICK Every year 40 people are killed by an accident on site Every year over 2000 workers are injured in such a away they cannot return to their original jobs Every year 69,000 are absent due to work related illness … CLICK One fifth of all work related illness can be attributed to STRESS, ANXIETY or DEPRESSION Over 1.7 Million working days are lost through illness or injury … CLICK Mental health or ILL Health is a significant issue Almost half the women in our industry say they are dealing with poor mental health conditions right now There are OVER 400 construction worker suicides EVERY YEAR … that is over 2 per day!!! For many years we have been SHOUTING SAFETY .. But WHISPERING HEATH THIS IS WHY it is TIME To CHANGE… and TIME to TALK.

Why ? Just some of the recent media headlines on mental health in construction.

Mental Health Facts Depression is the predominant mental health problem worldwide In 2014, 19.7% of people in the UK aged 16 and over showed symptoms of anxiety or depression - This percentage was higher among females (22.5%) than males (16.8%) In a 2018 YouGov poll, 74% of people said they have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope* 37% of adults who reported feeling stressed reported feeling lonely as a result* Source for the statistics in this slide - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-depression *Source – YouGov poll

Sources of Stress Use this slide to back up and remphasise the group discussions that have just taken place

We all have mental health! So what is Mental Heath. The fact is WE ALL have it. It is the combination of the way we think, the way we feel at a certain time. Angry, Happy, Sad. In fact it is really our overall well being which is a huge mixture of many factors. However the fact still remains, we all have mental health in the same way we all have physical health – the only difference is that we have a better understanding of physical health and find it easier to talk about it and show compassion and empathy. Ask the group to share examples of when they’ve felt any of the emotions in the slide – the truth is WE ALL HAVE!

Look for These Signs in Workmates: Some signs of distress Look for These Signs in Workmates: Poor or worsening timekeeping Increased risk taking Alcohol and/or drug misuse Lack of co-operation Being tired all the time Unexplained aches and pains Quiet & withdrawn Extremes of emotion If you have been working with somebody for a while the biggest sign is some sort of change This could be ….. Pick from list and emphasise a particular point. OK lets look at a video that demonstrates what might be a typical situation… The VIDEO will play automatically

What Should we do to Help? Conversation What Should we do to Help? What do you do if you are suffering with your mental health? What do you do if you think a workmate is suffering with their mental health? Back in your 3s again, have a conversation for 3 minutes on the following topics. Feedback to the group (3 minutes)

How can we Help? Conversation Find a good place to talk Listen Offer Reassurance Just be there! Signpost them to help Encourage them to seek support So to summarise from the video here are some key pointers on how can we help when we see somebody struggling.

Where to go for Help There are many places to signpost for expert help. The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is dedicated to the welfare of all construction workers in the UK and Ireland and have produced posters like this to put in canteens and around the sites .. In addition you will hopefully receive a Construction Industry Helpline Card. This is a FREE 24x7 Helpline available to anyone in our industry and is there to support anyone with problems ranging from wellbeing to financial and legal. This Helpline is funded by the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity who in turn is funded by our industry. Your own company may have an Employee Assistance Programme so make sure you know their number or if you are on a big project there may well be an Occupational Therapist or Nurse on site. As well as looking out for others it is vitally important that you look out for yourself…

Looking after YOU! We can all learn from the past … we can all plan for the future … but the only place we actually exist is in the here and now. So stay connected to the present… talk listen … feel connected Give your time, your presence your words to the people that are important to you Look up sometimes and just take joy in your surroundings Give new things a try…. Every day is a school day Be active … make time for the things you enjoy and improve your mood. Remember the only person you have to live with all your life is yourself… make sure you enjoy being you!

Together, we can make a huge difference! Summary We all have mental health Mental health problems are common, even more in construction, and can affect anyone, any time It takes courage to talk about how you really feel Look after you own mental health and look out for others Together, we can make a huge difference! Hopefully you will take away from today .. CLICK Each point comes on a CLICK of a mouse

Questions & Open Discussion Thank You Thank you