Construction Materials Online (CMO), parent company of Roofing Superstore, Insulation Superstore and Drainage Superstore, has signed up to support Mates in Mind as its charity of the year.
Mates in Mind was established to break the silence and stigma of mental health issues. Its ambitious goal is to have reached 75% of the construction industry by 2025.
Liz Orgill, marketing director at Construction Materials Online, said: “As a business we support a number of initiatives as part of our corporate social responsibility to champion innovation and contribute to better communities. It’s becoming increasingly important to raise awareness of mental health issues in general, but particularly in our industry.
“Although it is changing, construction is still predominantly male-dominated. Sadly, research shows that men are least likely to talk about their problems.”
Mates in Mind raises awareness and understanding of mental health by providing help, information, and training to prevent stress and absence from work, as well getting people back into the workplace.
CMO has over 65 staff across its three superstores. Amy Hatswell, human resources manager, said: “As an employer we recognise that everyone deals with challenges in their life, both practical and emotional, which is why we provide a service giving staff easy access to confidential support services and mental health first aid. We offer a 24/7 telephone counselling support helpline, online wellbeing support portal and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy either online or face-to-face sessions, so staff can get the support they need in the way most suited to them.”
Stephen Haynes, head of programme for Mates in Mind, said: “Mental health problems represent a significant issue in construction, with over a third of workers having experienced a condition in the past year, and almost a quarter considering leaving the industry due to mental health related issues. Furthermore, low-skilled construction workers are at a far greater risk of suicide, at 3.7 times the national average for England and Wales, and we know that in many cases, people who complete suicide had never reached out for support. We are delighted to be working with CMO in helping to raise awareness and improve mental health & wellbeing across the industry”.
