Artelia helps develop British Safety Council Award-winning Mates in Mind Campaign

Artelia has always had a very proactive approach to Safety in the Workplace and our most recent focus has been on Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing. Mental health in construction is a significant issue, with over a third of construction workers having experienced mental health related issues¹. Construction workers are also at a far greater risk of suicide, at 3.7 times the national average for England and Wales². The issue is believed to stem from a having a predominantly male workforce (men are thought to not be as open about their feelings in general as women) who are exposed to a range of stress factor like heavy workloads, long working hours, extensive travel, family separation and job insecurity.

Artelia’s Matt Buntine identified the need to raise awareness of mental illness in the industry and to provide support and direction for those suffering from the issue, based on an initiative in Australia, his native home.  The idea has now been taken up by the British Safety Council and Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG) who have launched a national campaign and training programme called Mates in Mind (MiM).

With core partners, Mind, Mental Health First Aid England and The Samaritans, MiM is supporting the industry to bring people together to talk openly and address the stigma associated with mental illness and to promote positive mental health. MiM recently partnered with the National Counselling Society (NCS) to give construction workers an additional source of support from a nationwide accredited register of counsellors

It was great to see MiM being recognised at the British Safety Council Awards last week for the positive impact that it is having on the industry. Well done to Matt Buntine, Gary Whiteman and the Artelia Multi Site team who have spearheaded this initiative both within Artelia and the wider construction industry.

Picture shows Artelia’s Matt Buntine and Gary Whiteman receiving the award from Reverend Richard Coles.

¹  Randstad Survey

² Office of National Statistics