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It’s important that we work together to break the stigma surrounding mental health.

Talking about what we’re experiencing with regards to mental health can be one of the most positive ways to address the issue.

A good way to start this conversation is to check in on colleagues, friends and family and ask how they are. Doing this regularly shows support and creates good opportunities to discuss any worries.

It can be tough out there…

With the combination of post-Christmas blues, dark nights and gloomy weather, it’s not a surprise that mental health doesn’t always get off to the best start in January. Research commissioned by IronmongeryDirect, (you can read the full 2022 report here) found that half of UK plumbers experience mental health problems due to work-related issues.

For UK tradespeople in general, these are the 10 issues which can cause the most stress:

Finances (38%)
Tensions with customers (31%)
Tensions with suppliers (29%)
High workload (26%)
Tensions with business partners (26%)
Job security (21%)
Doing the best job for customers (12%)
Making mistakes (11%)
Abuse from customers (6%)
Lack of work (5%)

We know opening up about mental health can be difficult and feel uncomfortable. One in six UK tradespeople say they worry about what others would think if they told them about their mental health situation.

Whether you speak to someone in person or you're not ready for that yet, there are plenty of resources out there that can help.

Why not try out these mental health tips from Mind?

Understand more about stress
Find out what you find helpful and what triggers you
Learn about different coping techniques
Exercise regularly
Practice mindfulness

Need support now?

Below are a number of resources that are available:

Band of Builders Text Service	Text BOB to 85258
Band of Builders Counselling Service	https://bandofbuilders.org/pages/wellbeing-support
www.matesinmind.org	020 3510 5018
Papyrus	0800 068 4141
Samaritans	116123

The charity Band of Builders currently fund mental health services aimed at members of the UK construction industry and focus on small businesses and the self-employed who were discovered to be at higher risk than those working in larger organisations.

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Looking after your mental health this January