Safety leader and research group launches mental health in construction consultation

The CLC’s consultation follows a series of focus groups across England, in partnership with Mates in Mind and the University of Warwick.

As well as causes, the consultation focuses on the measures that the construction industry can take to reduce the future likelihood of poor mental health in the sector.

The consultation comes from the CLC’s ‘Mental health project’ which is steered by senior civil servant, Stuart Young, who is head of stakeholder engagement at the Department for Business & Trade, Sam Downie, managing director of Mates in Mind, Henrietta Frater, head of HSE and Wellbeing at the Crown Estate, as well as representatives from Warwick university and construction firms Mace and BAM.

Photograph: iStock

The team convened earlier this year. They heard from speakers including Warwick researcher, Dr. Sophie Clohessy who highlighted issues in construction such as low job control, where workers operate in rigid hierarchies with little autonomy, frequent conflict, and poorly defined roles. “The work is often physically demanding, long, and far from home – all of which add strain,” she reported. The sector also has a higher prevalence of neurodiversity, which is rarely acknowledged or supported in current working practices.

The consultation will result in actions including a Joint Code of Practice for Managing Mental Health in construction, expected to be published in February 2026.

“CLC want to hear your views and ambitions for how the industry can collectively come together to reduce or eliminate the challenges colleagues and friends are experiencing across the sector,” commented the group.

Consultation closes on 5 November - enter your views here