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.
- By Ellie Jobes
- Sep 14, 2026
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.
The male-dominated space of the construction sector is often still rooted in a culture of ‘boys don’t cry’ machismo, which makes it harder for those struggling to speak up. Construction companies must address this crisis, opening up judgement-free channels of communication and breaking down outdated taboos around mental health and masculinity.
Ellie Jobes, Group People Director at Bagnalls, comments, “This doesn’t just mean addressing problems as they arise, it also means tackling the roots of the problem. We need to create a culture where men feel comfortable enough to speak out when they are struggling.
“This is just one of the reasons why we have Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) in every Bagnalls branch, raising awareness and starting conversations about mental wellness. Our MHFAs are available to chat to in a relaxed environment, with no pressure and a focus on sharing worries so they seem more manageable.”
Financial concerns
When it comes to mental health at work, we have to address some of the underlying concerns that perpetuate issues – one of the main ones today being financial pressure. 34% of Americans worry about money either every week or every single day, with many unable to afford to access mental health support or care. 50% have cut back on therapy or other wellness activities because of increasing costs.
Despite the provision of free healthcare via the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, financial pressures still prevail thanks to the cost-of-living crisis. Around 7m adults in the UK have fallen behind with at least one bill payment. 50% of those who report worrying about money, despite not having yet fallen behind with payments, also report poor or very poor mental health.
It’s not just individuals who are affected by these financial implications. Negative mental health costs UK businesses more than £50bn every single year, with £28bn of this loss directly linked to stress-related absences and the issue of burnout. In America, this figure could be as high as $187.8bn in a single year – and that’s just for depression-related concerns. This includes $20.9bn in absenteeism, and $32.9bn in lost productivity.
A recent UK-based report from the HSE identifies five causes of mental health issues within the construction industry as: physical strain, job insecurity, long hours and stigmatisation. Job insecurity in particular is made worse by tightening budgets and rigid deadlines piling on the pressure, as well as personal finance problems leading to excessive overtime and further burnout.
“This is why we offer secure contracts rather than zero-hours contracts at Bagnalls,” Ellie explains. “We want to help colleagues to feel more financially secure by confirming an agreed amount of work and guaranteed wages.”
Zero-hours contracts operate in a similar way to the US practice of hiring at-will, which allows an employer to terminate employment for any reason at any time. This practice is common in 49 of the 50 states in America, with Montana the only exception.
Avenues of support
As a response to this ongoing crisis in the UK, a number of crucial avenues of support have sprung up that the US can take inspiration from. One such avenue comes from MHFA England, which offers tailored training and support resources to workplaces across the UK, with the goal of educating one in ten individuals in mental health awareness and skills. The organisation aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health and foster an environment where discussing mental wellbeing is embraced.
The MHFA course teaches the ability to listen attentively, provide reassurance and respond effectively to individuals dealing with mental health issues and concerns. Wellness Action Plans can also provide a valuable alternative. These plans help employers understand their staff requirements and concerns, making conversations that may be perceived as uncomfortable easier to navigate.
Various strategies can be adopted by construction companies to cultivate a more transparent culture. For instance, Bagnalls provides an always-accessible Employee Assistance Programme. Ellie explains: “Providing proper mental health support should be a requirement for businesses in any sector, but companies working in construction have a particular responsibility.
“By partnering with Andy’s Man Club, training our staff members to become MHFAs and providing support via an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) scheme, we hope to raise awareness of the support that is available to our own workforce. The EAP is particularly useful in providing not only mental health advice and support, but also signposting trusted information about budgeting and dealing with debt effectively.”
“However, awareness and access to support need to be provided more widely to reduce the high suicide rate amongst people working in the construction industry. Let’s work together to get the word out there and make sure everyone gets the support they need!”
When it comes to what the US can take away from the UK approach to solving the mental health crisis in the construction sector, there are plenty of positives to choose from.