World Mental Health Day

Mental health problems – ranging from depression to loneliness – exist in our lives, families, workplaces and communities, impacting everyone.

Mental Health encompasses how we think, feel, and behave, every second of every day. When we think of physical health we tend to think of the positives; being fit, energised, playing sports, living to a ripe old age etc. Whereas we tend to instinctively focus on the negative aspects of mental health, anxiety, depression and suicide.

Whilst it’s true that mental health disorders are on the increase and the suicide rate is particularly high in the construction industry, mental health also includes all the positives; meeting friends, enjoying a game of football, or sharing a pint watching the game, taking the dog for a walk, a round of golf, or a family meal, all the activities we do to enjoy ourselves and relax.

World Mental Health Day is a chance for us to raise awareness of mental health and encourage us to reflect on how we feel. What’s on our minds, what makes us happy, things to be thankful for as well as acknowledge the challenges we are facing.

Acknowledging these thoughts and talking about them can promote greater feelings of happiness and overall satisfaction with life, even when what we are feeling is negative. Talking about them to a trusted source or writing them down can be cathartic and help relieve the stress and anxiety that may come with them.

Give you a different perspective and a starting point to help approach the challenges. Ask yourself –

• What makes you happy?
• What do you enjoy doing?
• How do you relax?
• What are you thankful for?

Whilst it’s great to focus on the positives, we also recognise that life isn’t always fantastic. With summer holidays a dim and distant memory, kids going back to school and Christmas on the horizon, all in the context of a cost-of-living crisis, it’s no surprise that money worries feature high up on the list of worries.

In January last year, The Carey Group, in association with Careys Foundation, entered a partnership with the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity (the Lighthouse Club).

The Lighthouse Club has been delivering charitable support to the construction community since 1956, and is the only charity that provides emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families.

Every working day, two construction workers take their own life. ​We have to educate everyone in our industry to recognise the signs and symptoms of our colleagues that are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression and start the conversation to assist in their recovery.

Those working in the industry, as well as their families, can contact the Construction Industry Helpline and will be able to call the 24/7 Helpline on UK 0345 605 1956 or ROI 1800 939 122 to access:

• Emergency financial aid in times of crisis following an illness, accident, injury or bereavement.
• Advice on wellbeing issues as an employee or an employer
• Support and advice for sufferers of stress and addiction-related illnesses
• Advice on matters ranging from divorce to employment
• Advice on specific tax-related issues concerning employment within the construction sector
• Help to manage and reschedule debt
• Help to understand the benefits system and your entitlement, especially if you are caring for others
• Support on career changes, especially after accident or injury preventing you from returning to your original job

The Carey Group are proud to continue to support the Lighthouse Club and the crucial support and services they provide.