Mental Health in the Trades
With Mental Health Awareness Week beginning on the 15th of May, it’s an important time of year to take a look at how being a tradesperson can impact your mental health. The Leadership Factor, on behalf of Ironmongery Direct, conducted a survey in 2022 which shines a shocking light on work related stress amongst tradespeople.
Who’s affected?
Unfortunately, it seems this issue is widespread. 82% of people surveyed said they had experienced some form of mental health problem like stress, depression, or anxiety due to work. 64% said they experience work related stress every month, 45% said every fortnight, and a shocking 18% said they experienced these issues every day.
Some people are more at risk of experiencing a work related mental health problem, with female workers reporting 87% compared to men reporting 80%. Those between the ages of 18 to 24 are also more at risk, with 94% reporting some form of mental health issue every year. However, people ages 35-44 experience mental health issues more frequently, with 18% struggling daily.
It’s not all bad news though. Self-employed tradespeople are significantly less likely to experience mental health issues daily, with just 6% reporting symptoms compared to 16% of employed people.
Frequency by trade
Mental health issues are more likely to be experienced by some trades than others. For example, plasterers are most at risk, with 92% reporting symptoms every year. 46% report that the cause of their mental health issues is due to finances, which may also explain why they are the least likely trade to take time off for mental health reasons.
Plasterers are followed by carpenters, with 90% reporting yearly symptoms. Carpenters primarily worry about money and tensions with customers.
Mental health issues by trade
| Plasterer | 92% |
| Carpenter | 90% |
| Builder | 89% |
| Joiner | 89% |
| Bricklayer | 87% |
| Building surveyor | 84% |
| Plumber | 81% |
| Electrician | 81% |
| Landscaper | 75% |
| Painter/Decorator | 68% |
What’s the cause?
The causes of mental health issues are as varied as the people that experience them, but finances are the most highly reported culprit. Tensions with customers and a high workload rank second and third.
Finances are the highest reported cause for all age groups except over 65s, who said they have been mainly worried by the ever changing Covid-19 regulations.
As you may expect, catching Covid-19 has also been a highly reported concern.
It’s a terrible truth that abuse from customers remains a common cause of mental health problems for tradespeople. A staggering 18% of people reported that they received threats and insults this year, with 86% suffering from some kind of customer abuse.
Top 10 causes of stress
| Finances | 34% |
| Tensions with customers | 24% |
| High workload | 23% |
| Tensions with business partners | 21% |
| Tensions with suppliers | 20% |
| Job security | 19% |
| Making mistakes | 19% |
| Abuse from customers | 18% |
| Risk of catching Covid-19 | 18% |
| Doing the best job for customers | 15% |
What’s the impact?
Work related stress has a significant impact on those who experience it. 28% of UK tradespeople are taking some form of anti-depressant or similar medication, with 32% needing professional help from a counsellor or therapist.
Mental health issues have also caused 19% of people to need time off work. This is most common among 34-44 year olds, with 27% having taken a leave of absence due to work related stress.
According to the latest figures, there were 589 trade suicides in 2020, so this problem cannot go overlooked.
What can you do?
Unfortunately, the stigma around mental health creates a significant barrier to people seeking help.
One of the best ways to begin working on your mental health is to start a discussion about how you’re feeling, but just 16% of tradespeople have spoken to friends or family about their problems. 85% reported that they don’t feel comfortable talking about their mental health. This is especially prevalent in those aged over 65, as 91% reported they find it hard to discuss what they’re feeling (compared to 78% of millennials).
16% of tradespeople also worry about what people would think of them if they knew about their mental health situation.
Break the stigma
Reach out to your colleagues and friends by asking how they are. Don’t just take the ‘alright’, try to find a private moment to ask ‘how are you really doing’.
Pay attention to your friends. Are they missing from the weekly trip to the pub? Or perhaps drinking more than usual? Have they become withdrawn and less chatty at work? Have they stopped doing the things they enjoy? Are they more quick to anger? These are all signs that their mental health may be suffering.
Reach out
If you yourself are experiencing mental health problems and finding that you are struggling to enjoy the things you used to, reach out to someone like a trusted colleague, a friend, or family member. Anyone who cares for you would rather listen to your problems than speak at your funeral.
If you are unfortunate enough to meet someone with antiquated views on mental health, don’t listen to them. Don’t lose the brilliant moment you’ve built by reaching out, simply reach out to someone else.
If you’re unable to reach out to someone you know, there are charities you can chat to, either online, by text, or over the phone.
The mental health charity Mind has a wealth of resources available. Here is their list of helplines:
- Samaritans. To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).
- SANEline. If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm–3:30am every day).
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
- Shout. If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
- The Mix. If you're under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK. If you're under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
- Switchboard. If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
- C.A.L.L. If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7) or you can text 'help' followed by a question to 81066.