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New research has found that a staggering 94 per cent of professionals working in the ‘hard hat’ industries have reported major challenges with their mental health, including feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
The research from hydraulic hose replacement specialist, Pirtek UK & Ireland, which aims to shine a light on the scale of the mental health challenges facing all heavy industries from a worker perspective, found that 75 per cent of respondents reported feelings of stress, whilst anxiety (62 per cent), depression (43 per cent) and loneliness (41 per cent) were all commonly cited as major mental health challenges.
Worryingly, for every 100 workers, 14 have cited feelings of self-harm or suicide.
As a result of these mental health challenges, four out of 10 professionals in the hard hat industries have taken time off work. The national average for time taken off work for mental health reasons is 12.4 per cent, whereas Pirtek’s research found this to be over three times higher (39.5 per cent) for the hard hat industries, signifying the scale of the problem for these industries.
Despite the challenges surrounding participants’ mental health, Pirtek also found that one quarter of survey respondents would never discuss their mental health with their colleagues and three out of 10 (28.9 per cent) have spoken about their mental health with their peers but have felt uncomfortable in doing so.
Similarly, just 59 per cent of respondents stated that their workplace had mental health support in place in their workplace, whilst four out of 10 workers reported that there was no support in place, or they were not aware of it. And just 35 per cent of respondents have utilised external professional services to support their mental health.
Discussing the research findings, Martyn Smart, Group QHSE Manager, at Pirtek UK & Ireland said: “It’s incredibly worrying that so many of our survey respondents have reported challenges with their mental health. Professionals who work in these sectors face many hazards in their day-to-day duties, but it’s important to remember that mental health risks in the workplace must also be assessed to correctly measure the level of risk to workers.”
Lucas Whitehead, Head of Marketing & Partnerships at Andy’s Man Club, charity partner for Pirtek’s Under the Hard Hat, said: “The results from Pirtek’s research highlights the scale of the mental health problem in heavy industries. Mental health does not just impact the individual in question, it can have a profound impact on an individual’s friends, family, coworkers and colleagues. Mental health challenges are indiscriminate, targeting everyone regardless of their chosen gender, race or creed.
“If we are to cultivate a culture where open discussions about mental health can be had, free from any judgement or stigma, it’s vital that we all work together. We need to ensure that those struggling are not alone and there is support available should they need it. We have an opportunity to make real and lasting change for the many people working in the hard hat industries, it’s important that we are all in it together.”
Image by Tung Lam – Pixabay
