On World Mental Health Day, The Build Network UK is releasing an impactful video
The video was shot in Brunswick Mill, Manchester, and tells the story of a young girl searching for her dad after he takes his own life after suffering from poor mental health. Her chilling words at the end of the video remind us of the stark reality gripping the construction industry. ‘He’s not here. He’s not coming back.’
UK Construction workers are four times more likely to take their own life. The number of suicides in the construction industry has increased year on year for far too long and the industry records more suicides than any other industry. Andy Stevens, Founder and CEO of The Build Network UK, decided enough was enough and wanted to shoot a powerful video to make people in the industry sit up and think hard. “It’s staggering that an industry with 3.2m workers in it has such horrendous suicide statistics. We wanted to shoot a video that would make the whole industry sit up, take notice, and think.
Something has to be put in place to create positive change across the industry to start bringing these numbers down.’ Mr. Steves adds: “Year on year the suicide numbers have gone up while the majority of the industry just ticks boxes and waves their flags on these awareness days. The following day, they’re nowhere to be seen’.
Mr. Stevens has worked in the construction industry since the late 80s and has won several awards for his work. Yet, only four years ago, Mr. Stevens survived a suicide attempt and vowed to make a difference. There are many reasons for the high suicide figures such as working away from home, not getting paid, van and tool theft, and unrealistic pressure on site, which ultimately can lead to workers losing their jobs with no notice, or pay.
Mr. Stevens cannot believe the millions of pounds being wasted by some organisations and charities just to be seen to tick a box. He concludes: “We want this hard-hitting video to make people stop and think – what if it was their dad or work colleague they never saw again? What can we do to improve workers’ mental health and support them?’ The hashtag of #itstimeforpositive change is not just a slogan or reminder, it’s a stark instruction to the construction industry to wake up and start making changes that will save lives.
To watch The Build Network UK video click here
