“Shoulder to shoulder, connecting for health” is Men’s Health Week’s theme this year and at Harpers, we are encouraging our male colleagues to pause and, as a collective, prioritise their Physical and Mental Health.
Research shows men are at higher risk of poor mental health, often due to bottling things up, and are also less likely to seek medical advice for physical issues (men are 50% less likely to see their GP compared to women). Many, especially in construction, feel they have to work through illnesses or injury due to financial pressures or simply because they don’t want to be seen as weak.
Last year, the UK construction industry lost around 2.1 million working days due to self-reported ill-health, with over half caused by depression, stress, and anxiety. With rising living costs, industry skills shortages, and increased retirement age, these pressures will only increase.
Our aim is to educate and empower our workforce to make healthier lifestyle choices. We’re using site posters to remind colleagues about important topics such as hydration, sun protection, and regular health checks; and providing resources and links to support services for those affected by mental or physical health issues.
We have also trained up several members of the Harper Team as Mental Health First Aiders so we can fulfil our duty of care in both the physical and mental sense.
