What U.S. Construction Can Learn from the UK’s Mental Health Approach
A UK contractor’s mental health initiatives offer practical strategies to reduce stigma, improve access to support, and strengthen workplace culture.
Recent estimates show almost 60m US adults are living with a mental illness – ranging from mild concerns to severe symptoms. More than 19% of American adults reported receiving treatment for depression in the first quarter of this year alone – that’s around 51m people dealing with the symptoms of depression. And that’s only those who have received treatment – the real figure could be even higher.
It’s thought that some of the most common issues – including anxiety and depression – have increased by 10% since last year. Yet, 52.6% of those who are struggling have never tried seeking help via services like talking therapy or psychiatry.
Workers in the construction sector have been highlighted as highly at-risk of mental health crises. Almost 65% of US construction workers have reported experiencing depression or anxiety within the last year alone – a striking increase of more than 50% when compared to the statistic from 12 months previous. Many of the employees surveyed referred to stigma and fear as the main barriers to seeking treatment or assistance.
It’s concerning that so many in the construction sector are struggling with their mental health. This is why it’s so vital that construction companies continue to open up the conversation around mental health. In the UK, national painting contractor, Alfred Bagnall & Sons Limited, has already built a network of support for employees that minimises stigma and encourages open, honest discussions about mental health – here’s what US companies could take away from this approach.
Persistent and damaging stigma
2026 research shows that 50% of workers in America experience significant stress every single day in their workplace, with 69% of employees disengaged or actively against their workplace. The US construction sector has the second-highest suicide rate of all major industries, with construction workers facing suicide rates that are several times higher than those attributed to the general employee population.
