--- title: "Mental Health: The Real Crisis Behind Construction Safety" description: Discover why mental health is the hidden health and safety risk in construction — and how Mindflow is driving industry change. image: https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Construction%20worker%20looking%20out%20over%20a%20building%20site.jpg --- This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. [![Mindflow logo](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/Brand/Mindflow%20logo%20dark.svg) ](https://mindflow.charity) Who we are [Who we are Discover our mission and how we work ](https://mindflow.charity/who-we-are) [Our approach How we use football to shift site culture ](https://mindflow.charity/our-approach) [Our trustees Meet the team tackling stigma in construction ](https://mindflow.charity/our-trustees) [Our champions The football legends backing mental health change ](https://mindflow.charity/our-champions) Get involved [The Mindflow Charter Setting a clear standard for site wellbeing ](https://mindflow.charity/join-the-charter) [Mindflow Match-Ups On-site conversations that could save lives ](https://mindflow.charity/matchups) [Join Mindflow United We're recruiting a first-team squad ](https://mindflow.charity/mindflow-united) [Other ways to support us Donate, partner, or get your team involved ](https://mindflow.charity/partner-with-us) [ Need support? ](https://mindflow.charity/support-services) [ Blog ](https://mindflow.charity/blog) [ Contact ](https://mindflow.charity/contact-us) June 4th 2025 # 56% of site workers are struggling with mental health, which is the real crisis on-site ![Mental Health: The Real Crisis Behind Construction Safety](https://mindflow.charity/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Construction%20worker%20looking%20out%20over%20a%20building%20site.jpg?width=1600&height=1000&name=Construction%20worker%20looking%20out%20over%20a%20building%20site.jpg) Mental health is construction’s real safety crisis . More than half of UK construction workers are struggling with their mental health. It’s a reality that’s long been ignored — and the consequences are deadly. Every working day, two construction workers die by suicide. That’s more than 600 lives lost a year. And yet, for too long, support has meant little more than posters in break rooms. This blog summarises what over 1,400 workers told us — and how Mindflow is building change from the ground up. Trevor Steven, CEO at Mindflow: "We’ve had some very frank conversations over the last 18 months about the reality of working in the industry and how it can impact mental health. It is clear we need to do more than just hang a few signs up around sites. Mental health needs to be approached in the same way as health and safety." ### What 1,439 workers told us Between May 2022 and September 2023, Mindflow’s team visited 14 sites across the UK. Led by former England footballer Trevor Steven, they spoke directly to 1,439 workers — from tradespeople and labourers to plant operators and site managers. These weren’t tick-box surveys. They were real, often raw conversations. - 56% of workers said they’d experienced mental health problems - 12% said they’d had suicidal thoughts - 40% reported anxiety, 37% depression, 28% fatigue linked to low mood - Only 21% had received a formal diagnosis That means four in five are coping alone — undiagnosed, unsupported and unseen. ### Why current support falls short The causes are clear. So are the consequences. - 59% blame long and irregular hours - 50% cite financial pressure - 45% point to job insecurity - 41% say poor site culture and management support “I was told to leave my issues on the doorstep and not bring them to work.” The majority of workers we spoke to had never been on a site that seemed to genuinely care. Many said they wouldn’t be paid for time off due to mental health issues. Others described managers who only ever pointed out mistakes. ### The case for on-site real-talk Construction is 87% male. It’s transient. Isolated. High pressure. And too often, it’s silent. But workers told us they would open up — if approached the right way. In fact: - 86% believe someone should be officially responsible for mental health on site - 58% said they’d be more likely to seek help if their football club offered it That’s why Mindflow meets people where they are. On site. Through football. With real talk. ### How football can be used to kickstart real change throughout the industry 67% of the workers we spoke to were football fans — a shared passion that helps break down barriers and spark conversation. That connection is at the heart of how Mindflow works. As Trevor Steven puts it: “I left one traditionally macho environment and entered another. Football clubs and construction sites share the same roots — working-class, high pressure, and not known for opening up. But football has moved. Players now speak out. Structures are in place. In construction, we need that shift too.” It started with a simple idea: that the most important safety tool on site isn’t a hard hat. It’s being able to say, “I’m not OK” — and be heard. This is why Mindflow is here - to join the dots between football, mental health and construction. Find out more about Mindflow, our approach and more in the video below. ###### Help bring mental health to the heart of construction. ###### Explore how you can get involved at [www.mindflow.charity](https://mindflow.charity/) ###### Want to stay in the loop?  [Sign up to our newsletter here →](https://mindflow.charity/subscribe) Join our mailing list [ Subscribe here ](https://mindflow.charity/subscribe) Popular articles - [ The Christopher Ward Cup: football for better mental health ](https://mindflow.charity/blog/the-christopher-ward-cup-football-for-better-mental-health) - [ Running for a Legacy: Harry Blight’s Challenge for Mindflow in Memory of His Father ](https://mindflow.charity/blog/running-for-a-legacy-harry-blights-challenge-for-mindflow-in-memory-of-his-father) - [ VolkerStevin Joins Mindflow United to Champion Mental Health in Construction ](https://mindflow.charity/blog/volkerstevin-joins-mindflow-united-to-champion-mental-health-in-construction) - [ Mindflow hosts a Match-Up session in Manchester with Domis Construction ](https://mindflow.charity/blog/mindflow-hosts-a-match-up-session-at-domis-construction-in-manchester) Share [![Share on linkedin](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/raw_assets/public/causeway-theme/images/icons/linkedin_social.svg) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://mindflow.charity/blog/mental-health-the-real-health-and-safety-crisis-on-site&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/raw_assets/public/causeway-theme/images/icons/twitter_social.svg) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://mindflow.charity/blog/mental-health-the-real-health-and-safety-crisis-on-site&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://mindflow.charity/blog/mental-health-the-real-health-and-safety-crisis-on-site&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=56%%20of%20site%20workers%20are%20struggling%20with%20mental%20health,%20which%20is%20the%20real%20crisis%20on-site) [![Share on facebook](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/raw_assets/public/causeway-theme/images/icons/facebook_social.svg) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://mindflow.charity/blog/mental-health-the-real-health-and-safety-crisis-on-site&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) ![Copy to clipboard](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/raw_assets/public/causeway-theme/images/icons/link_social.svg) ## Related articles Mindflow News ![HMS Joins Mindflow United to Champion Mental Health in Construction](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/Blog%20pic%203-1.jpg) July 7th 2026 ### HMS Joins Mindflow United to Champion Mental Health in Construction Mindflow is proud to announce a new partnership with HMS, who join as the latest member of Mindflow United, to tackle mental health in construction. [Discover more](https://mindflow.charity/blog/hms-joins-mindflow-united-to-champion-mental-health-in-construction) Mindflow Charter ![Running for a Legacy: Harry Blight’s Challenge for Mindflow in Memory of His Father](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/Harry%20Blight%20Pic-1.jpg) June 3rd 2026 ### Running for a Legacy: Harry Blight’s Challenge for Mindflow in Memory of His Father Harry Blight is running in memory of his father to raise awareness of mental health in construction and support Mindflow's life-saving work. [Discover more](https://mindflow.charity/blog/running-for-a-legacy-harry-blights-challenge-for-mindflow-in-memory-of-his-father) Mindflow Charter ![Mindflow Announces New Charity Partnership with Black Capital Group](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/Mindflow_9%20image-1.png) May 11th 2026 ### Mindflow Announces New Charity Partnership with Black Capital Group Mindflow announces a new charity partnership with Black Capital Group, launching during Mental Health Awareness Week. This year-long collaboration will raise ... [Discover more](https://mindflow.charity/blog/mindflow-announces-new-charity-partnership-with-black-capital-group) ![background-graphic](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/raw_assets/public/causeway-theme/images/mindflow/mf-grey-hex.svg) ## Join the movement This isn’t just about awareness. It’s about action. Mindflow is here to build a healthier, safer construction industry for all — and we need your support. [![Handshake heart icon](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/raw_assets/public/causeway-theme/images/mindflow/mf-icon-placeholder.svg) Join the Charter Let's set the standard on site. ](https://mindflow.charity/join-the-charter) [![Handshake heart icon](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/raw_assets/public/causeway-theme/images/mindflow/mf-icon-placeholder.svg) Schedule a Match-Up Bring conversations to the site. ](https://mindflow.charity/matchups) [![Handshake heart icon](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/raw_assets/public/causeway-theme/images/mindflow/mf-icon-placeholder.svg) Read our blog See the change in action. ](https://mindflow.charity/blog) [![Mindflow logo](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/Brand/MF-Logo-light.svg) ](https://mindflow.charity) #### Need support? Call NHS England on 111 or Suicide Prevention UK on 0800 689 5652 ###### ![Fundraising Regulator White](https://746800.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/746800/hubfs/Fundraising%20Regulator%20White.png?width=180&height=71&name=Fundraising%20Regulator%20White.png) ###### Founding Partners  ###### [![Causeway logo - Inverse](https://746800.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/746800/hubfs/Revised%20Causeway%20logo%20-%20Inverse.png?width=180&height=39&name=Revised%20Causeway%20logo%20-%20Inverse.png)](https://www.causeway.com/) ###### [![Christopher-Ward-Logo](https://746800.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/746800/hubfs/Christopher-Ward-Logo.png?width=180&height=33&name=Christopher-Ward-Logo.png)](https://www.christopherward.com/) Follow us [![linkedin](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/Icons/linkedin.svg) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindflow-charity/) [![instagram](https://mindflow.charity/hubfs/Icons/instagram.svg) ](https://www.instagram.com/mindflow.charity/) About Mindflow - [Who we are](https://mindflow.charity/who-we-are) - [Our approach](https://mindflow.charity/our-approach) - [Our trustees](https://mindflow.charity/our-trustees) - [Our champions](https://mindflow.charity/our-champions) Get involved - [The Mindflow Charter](https://mindflow.charity/join-the-charter) - [Mindflow Match-Ups](https://mindflow.charity/matchups) - [Join Mindflow United](https://mindflow.charity/mindflow-united) - [Other ways to support us](https://mindflow.charity/partner-with-us) Resources - [Need support?](https://mindflow.charity/support-services) - [Blog](https://mindflow.charity/blog) - [Contact](https://mindflow.charity/contact-us) - [Privacy policy](https://mindflow.charity/privacy-policy) - [Terms of use](https://mindflow.charity/terms-of-use) - [Cookie policy](https://mindflow.charity/cookie-policy-mindflow) Copyright © Mindflow 2026. All rights reserved. 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