World Mental Health Day: Announcing Our Mental Health in Construction Initiative

This Friday marks World Mental Health Day, a global event dedicated to raising awareness and driving positive change for mental wellbeing. At Consult Group, we believe this is the ideal moment to announce a significant step forward in our commitment to our team and our industry. We are proud to launch our new Mental Health in Construction initiative, a long-term programme designed to foster open dialogue, provide meaningful support, and champion lasting change across Consult Construct, Consult Sustain, and Consult LDN.

Understanding the Challenge in Construction

Construction is one of the UK’s most vital sectors, responsible for building the world around us. However, it also faces unique pressures that can take a heavy toll on the mental health of its workforce. Demanding deadlines, long hours, physically strenuous work, and a traditionally stoic culture have historically made discussing mental health difficult.

The statistics paint a stark picture. The sector experiences disproportionately high rates of suicide, with a significant percentage of workers facing stress, anxiety, and depression each year. We have a collective responsibility to change this conversation and eliminate the stigma preventing so many from seeking help.

At Consult Group, our people are our most valuable asset. Creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and psychologically secure is both a moral obligation and a business imperative. A healthy team is an engaged, productive, and collaborative team.

Core Pillars of the Initiative

Our strategy is built on three main areas designed to embed wellbeing into the everyday life of our organisation:

• Fostering Open Dialogue and Ending Stigma: We are actively normalising discussions around mental health through internal workshops, leadership training, and continuous communication. Our goal is to break down cultural barriers and create a workplace where asking for help is recognised as a sign of strength.

• Providing Accessible, Practical Support: We are deploying tangible resources and immediate support pathways across all offices and sites, including:

  • Enhanced Mental Health First Aid: Expanding our network of trained Mental Health First Aiders across all divisions.

  • Professional EAP Access: Strengthening partnerships with Employee Assistance Programmes to offer free, confidential counselling and therapy services.

  • Resource Hubs: Delivering dedicated digital and site-based toolkits for managing stress, building resilience, and identifying early signs of burnout.

• Driving Long-Term Cultural Change: We are reviewing internal policies, project workflows, and workload management practices to proactively reduce operational stressors, promote a healthier work-life balance, and collaborate with industry partners like Mates in Mind to champion broader sector change.

Supporting Our Team, Partners, and Clients

• For Our Team: This is a clear promise that your wellbeing is our priority, supported by actionable resources, empathetic leadership, and a culture where every individual feels valued.

• For Our Clients & Partners: This provides assurance that you are working with an ethical, responsible consultancy. Investing in team health builds a resilient, stable, high-performing workforce that delivers higher quality on every project.

Looking Ahead

The launch of our Mental Health in Construction initiative this World Mental Health Day is just the beginning of a long-term journey. Creating a healthier, more supportive future for the built environment requires sustained commitment, collaboration, and courage.

We invite our colleagues, clients, and industry peers to follow our progress, share best practices, and join us in championing mental wellbeing for all.