The Mates in Mind initiative, dedicated to improving the health and mental wellbeing of the construction industry workforce, has now been rolled out in its entirety.

According to Health and Safety Executive figures, 18% of reported work-related illnesses in the UK construction industry are the result of mental health problems, such as stress, depression or anxiety – accounting for 400,000 working days lost each year.

Mates in Mind is a “flexible and joined up approach that is tailored to the needs of individual construction companies as they seek to tackle poor mental health, while also nurturing positive mental wellbeing amongst their workforce”.

The programme is being delivered to the UK construction industry in support of the Health in Construction Leadership Group, and in partnership with a number of industry representatives and mental health charities.

Steve Hails, Chair of the Mates in Mind Board and Director of Health, Safety and Well-being at Tideway, said: "Today is a significant moment as we roll out the Mates in Mind framework and resources for businesses to use. This is the culmination of several months of hard work and would not have been possible without the substantial help of key mental health charities and its championing by industry representatives.

“Mates in Mind represents a meaningful way forward for tackling mental ill health in the workplace while also encouraging a positive wellbeing culture. This approach offers flexibility that enables a business to tailor the resources to their needs so that priorities can be more effectively targeted. In doing so, it should be possible to start making serious progress into an issue that is currently the source of much needless pain for so many."

For more information, go to www.matesinmind.org.