The completion of phase 1 of the Mates in Mind Initiative by CITBNI has witnessed a terrific success with over 470 individuals attending either the awareness raising training or the First Aid Course.
The success of the initiative has motivated the organisation to continue raising awareness and supporting the local construction industry around Mental Health and Wellbeing.
The issue of mental ill-health in construction is a significant concern, with over a third of workers having experienced a mental health condition in the past year. Almost a quarter of workers consider leaving the industry due to mental health-related problems, which is exacerbated by a prevailing belief that employers are neither able to recognise or address these problems.
“We’ve been delighted to be able to reach out to so many in our industry” remarked Barry Neilson, Chief Executive of CITN NI before going on to say “There is no doubt that mental health is a scourge not only in the construction sector but right across NI workplaces and being able to work in collaboration with partners in the field has allowed us to begin to tackle the stigma associated with poor mental health”.
Phase 2 – ‘Building on the Foundation for Mental Health in the Northern Ireland Construction Industry’ is currently in development.
