The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is preparing to release its latest research on the state of mental health within the construction industry. The new study serves as a follow-up to the CIOB’s Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment report, originally published in May 2020 during the pandemic.
Timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 May), the new findings offer insight into the progress made over the last five years in addressing poor mental health in the industry.
The report aims to examine the prevalence of poor mental health within the sector and highlight actions that organizations can take to better support their workforce.
Positive Shifts in Mental Health Support
Daisie Barnett, policy development manager at CIOB, noted a clear positive shift in the mental health support available to construction workers since the pandemic. According to Barnett, “Our research shows that over 75% of employees have been encouraged to engage with awareness events such as Mental Health Awareness Week, up from just 26% in 2020.”
The availability of dedicated Mental Health First Aiders has also increased significantly, with one in two construction workers now having access to this support in the workplace.
“Despite these positive changes, there is still much more to be done,” Barnett added.
Continued Challenges
The 2025 data reveals that almost one in four construction workers (24%) report experiencing daily stress, while 20% say they are fatigued. The new survey also found that more than a quarter of respondents (27%) reported having suicidal thoughts over the past year.
Although the number of one-on-one conversations between managers and their employees has increased since the 2020 survey, the new data shows many workers still feel uncomfortable approaching colleagues they believe may be struggling with mental health issues—especially if they don’t know them well.
Mental Health Support in the Industry
The latest report outlines the various support structures available across construction organizations, with the following highlights:
Awareness week activities (e.g., World Mental Health Day): 77%
Help lines (e.g., Employee Assistance Programme – EAP): 54%
Mental Health First Aiders: 54%
Work-from-home policy: 51%
Flexible working: 50%
Paid sick leave beyond Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): 43%
Scheduled 1-1 meetings: 35%
Training on mental health and symptoms: 27%
External support (e.g., counselors, occupational psychologists): 25%
Support structures: 22%
None of the above/Other: 19%
Switch-off policy (e.g., policy against checking phone/emails during non-working hours): 12%
Fatigue management plans: 8%
I don’t know: 4%
Call to Action
The report calls on key stakeholders to take stronger action to improve mental health outcomes in the sector. Among the recommendations are challenges for companies to commit to improving mental health, implement workplace policies that foster support, build trust, and train management teams to better address mental health concerns.
“We’ll also be presenting recommendations for the government to consider, to ensure that mental health continues to receive the attention it deserves,” Barnett concluded.
CIOB Assist provides mental health support and advice for current and past members, as well as their families. In partnership with Anxiety UK, CIOB offers additional wellbeing resources for its community.
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