Time to Talk Day 2018

#TimeToTalk

CECA Scotland is pleased to be supporting Time to Talk Day 2018, which is being hosted in Scotland by See Me  and across the rest of the UK by Time To Change.

Time To Talk Day is a chance for us all to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen and to help change lives.  Important in every workplace but especially important in construction where more workers take their own lives than in any other industry.

Last year, mental health charity, The Samaritans, revealed that suicide killed 6 times as many construction workers as falls from height.

This is not a record to be proud of. And despite real progress in site safety and in work related physical illnesses, the HSE report that levels of work related stress, depression and anxiety have remained the same over the past decade or so.

With the World Health Organisation predicting that depression will be the second biggest health problem by 2020 and with 1 in 4 Scots experiencing mental health issues over the course of a year, there is simply no option not to act.

Commenting, CECA Scotland Chief Executive, Grahame Barn said:

If we are to recruit and retain the brightest talent into our industry, then construction needs to change. Employers can and must work in partnership to ensure mental health in the workplace is given parity with physical health; by increasing awareness among all employees, so problems can be spotted early and appropriate action taken and taking practical steps to end the huge stigma that still surrounds talking about mental health issues at work.

So why not help break the silence and end the stigma? Starting a five minute conversation with a colleague about mental health could make all the difference.

Take #TimeToTalk today – and everyday!

And if you are a CECA Member, why not sign up to take part in Stop Make A Change?

This year’s campaign will be focussing on mental wellbeing  You can also access invaluable material tailored to the needs of the construction sector via Mates in Mind.