“Mates in Mind is seeking
to support construction
companies in raising
awareness, addressing
the stigma and improving
positive mental wellbeing
across their sector.”
mental health approaches across the sector, there is an
opportunity to acknowledge differing cultures and sub-
sectors, learn from each other and to work to reduce
variance.” Mates in Mind has an ambitious goal - a target of
reaching 100,000 workers by September 2018. The charity
has set itself the deadline of 2025 to reach 75% of the
entire construction industry.
WHAT IS MATES IN MIND?
In January 2016, the pan-industry Health in Construction
Leadership Group (HCLG) hosted a summit for CEOs and
leaders from across the construction sector who recognised
the need to improve the mental wellbeing of its workforce.
As a result, the idea for Mates in Mind was formulated to be
the industry’s first step in tackling the health versus safety
disparity. HSE International Editor Katrina Kendrick spoke to Mates
in Mind Founding Partners - the Health in Construction
Leadership Group (HCLG) and the British Safety Council.
Mates in Mind, a registered charity, was launched in
January 2016. Initially, six Partner Organisations - Balfour
Beatty, Careys, Heathrow, Tideway, WillmottDixon and
VolkerWessels UK - piloted the Mates in Mind framework.
Since then, organisations including Galliford Try,
Sellafield and Tarmac, have committed to being a Business
Champion for mental health and wellbeing with Mates in
Mind.
A full roll out of the Mates in Mind initiative took place
on 11 September 2017 to the entire construction industry.
Over 350 other companies - of various size and drawn from
across the entire sector - have expressed serious interest in
committing to the Mates in Mind framework.
Clive Johnson, Chair of the Health in Construction
Leadership Group and Head of Health and Safety at
Landsec, said:
“Mates in Mind aims to raise awareness, address the
stigma of poor mental health and improve positive mental
wellbeing in the UK construction industry. For too many
years the industry has been shouting about safety but
only whispering about health, when they need equal
billing. I am extremely proud that Landsec and the HCLG
are at the forefront of ensuring mental health provision
within construction is dramatically improved. Following a
very successful trial period, Mates in Mind has now been
officially launched and I would encourage people who are
keen to find out more to visit the Mates in Mind website.
“Training Mental Health First Aiders is something that
we are really passionate about at Landsec – we believe they
are just as important as physical first aiders. We have had
a fantastic number of people volunteer for the two day
course, which, once completed, enables participants to
sign-post colleagues to the right services and agencies for
help and advice, if they need support. I’d like the network of
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