At Green Hat Consulting, we believe that mental health is just as vital as physical safety on site and in the office. As part of our September SMART objective, we’re spotlighting Mental Health Awareness, drawing on guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Mind to help foster a culture of openness, support, and resilience.
Why Mental Health Matters at Work
One in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem at some point. Anxiety and depression are the most common, often triggered by life events or work-related stress. Work can both contribute to and exacerbate these conditions, but it can also be part of the solution.
Employers have a legal duty to assess and manage risks to mental health just like any other workplace hazard. This includes making reasonable adjustments and creating a supportive environment for those with pre-existing conditions
HSE’s Core Standards for Mental Health
The HSE-backed Thriving at Work report outlines six core standards every employer should adopt:
- A clear mental health at work plan
- Mental health awareness training
- Open conversations and regular check-ins
- Healthy work-life balance and development opportunities
- Effective people management
- Routine monitoring of wellbeing
These standards help reduce stigma, promote early intervention, and support long-term wellbeing.
Mental Health in Construction: A Sector-Specific Challenge
Construction workers face unique pressures, from long hours and physical demands to job insecurity and isolation. Historically, mental health has been a taboo topic in the industry; but that’s changing.
Mind’s Building Mental Health initiative offers five practical steps for construction firms:
- Sign the Building Mental Health Charter
- Promote the Construction Industry Helpline and app
- Deliver interactive “Tool Box Talks” to raise awareness
- Train managers to respond to mental health disclosures
- Certify mental health first aiders onsite
These steps are backed by free resources, training grants, and real-world examples of best practice.
What We’re Doing
This month, we’re:
- Hosting a Tool Box Talk on mental health
- Sharing resources from Mind and HSE across our teams
- Encouraging open conversations and peer support
- Exploring mental health first aid training for our staff
Together, we can build a workplace where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
