• Bricklayers ( 73 %) are the most likely tradespeople to experience work-related stress

• Finances are the most common cause of stress

• IronmongeryDirect is working with mental health charity , Mind , to raise awareness of the issue

• Nearly half ( 49 %) of UK tradespeople experience mental health problems due to work related issues , a study1 has found .

Research by IronmongeryDirect , the UK ’ s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery , found that nearly three in five ( 58 %) experience some form of mental health problem , such as stress , anxiety or depression , at least once a week .

Money worries cause the most stress , with 38 % of tradespeople blaming financial situations for giving them anxiety .

Other issues , such as tensions with customers ( 31 %) and suppliers ( 29 %), are also major causes of concern for tradespeople .

The 10 issues which cause the most stress for tradespeople :

1 . Finances ( 38 %) 2 . Tensions with customers ( 31 %) 3 . Tensions with suppliers ( 29 %) 4 . High workload ( 26 %) 5 . Tensions with business partners

( 26 %) 6 . Job security ( 21 %) 7 . Doing the best job for customers

( 12 %) 8 . Making mistakes ( 11 %) 9 . Abuse from customers ( 6 %) 10 . Lack of work ( 5 %) Female tradespeople ( 57 %) are significantly more likely to experience work related mental health problems than their male counterparts ( 41 %).

Additionally , the main causes of stress and anxiety differ between the genders , with women more likely to feel stressed due to finances ( 39 %) and tensions with business partners ( 29 %), whilst men are more affected by high workloads ( 39 %) and tensions with suppliers ( 37 %).

When it comes to age , middle aged tradespeople experience the most work-related related mental health issues . Nearly three in five ( 57 %) tradies aged between 45-54 report stress and anxiety due to work .

Bricklayers are the most likely tradespeople to experience mental health problems , with a shocking 73 % admitting to dealing with issues such as stress and anxiety . In contrast , surveyors ( 18 %) are the trade least likely to have poor mental health .

Mind ’ s top tips for dealing with mental health problems

1 . Understand more about stress .

2 . Figure out what you find helpful to deal with your mental health , as well as what can trigger it . 3 . Learn about different coping techniques and if they work for you . 4 . Exercise regularly . 5 . Practise mindfulness and meditation . 6 . Open up and talk to your family , friends and colleagues . When dealing with mental health problems , nearly half ( 48 %) of tradespeople said they choose to talk to friends and

families about their issues . Less than a third ( 32 %) choose to seek counselling , while more than a quarter ( 28 %) take medication .

The research also found that a similar number ( 29 %) do not feel comfortable talking to people close to them about their mental health . Furthermore , more than a third ( 34 %) do not know how to access support services .

Emma Mamo , Head of Workspace Wellbeing at Mind , said : “ We know that issues like stress , anxiety and depression are common in all workplaces , but that there are some sectors where poor mental health is even more prevalent , including construction .

“ Because men generally find it more difficult to talk about how they ’ re feeling , in male-dominated industries such as construction , employees are often less willing and able to open up about their mental health and ask for support . This can be problematic because mental health problems often become worse if left untreated , and the consequences can be fatal .

“ We ’ re pleased to be working with IronmongeryDirect during Mental Health Awareness Week to launch our ‘ Mental Health in the Trades ’ report highlighting the scale of poor mental health across the sector , and urging employers within construction to create cultures where employees can speak openly and honestly about their mental health .”

Marco Verdonkschot , Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect , said : “ It ’ s shocking and saddening to see that mental health problems are so widespread in the industry .

“ We feel that it ’ s vital for the stigma of mental health to be removed from the industry , and whilst we understand it can be difficult to open up , we encourage all tradespeople to talk about their problems . Whether this is with friends and family , your employer , or professional counsellors , speaking about your problems can often be the first step to addressing them .”

For the 2021 report of mental health in the trades industry , visit : https :// www . ironmongerydirect . co . uk / research / mental-health-in-the-trades /