*Contact details for various support can be found at the bottom of this article*
Kier has made wellbeing and mental health support available to thousands of its workforce and wider supply chain in light of stark suicide rates within the industry.
by Rory Butler / January 26, 2023
The firm is now an annual Company Supporter of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity (Lighthouse Club), a 24/7 confidential helpline for industry people suffering mental, physical and emotional difficulties.
The Lighthouse Club has a network of more than 350 ‘Beacons’, manned by trained and experienced individuals there to help.
Its 24-hour discreet helpline offers free translation for more than 200 languages.
There is also a free text support service.
Other services
- construction-based training programmes
- self-paced e-learning
- tutor led online masterclasses
- MHFA England accredited Mental Health First Aider courses
All Kier colleagues will benefit from the Lighthouse Club, including their families and Kier’s wider supply chain.
The facts – ‘one life is too many’
In the UK, two construction workers take their own life every working day, Kier reports.
More than 20% of work-related absence is said to be caused by stress, anxiety, or depression, it adds.
“We want to ensure our people and supply chain go home safely every day,” said Kier Group’s health, safety, wellbeing and sustainability director, Chris Lilley. “By looking after the wellbeing of our people and those from our valued supply chain, we’re supporting them to bring their best selves to work and encouraging them to make safe decisions.”
For more information about the Lighthouse Club, click here.
If you are experiencing poor mental health, or need someone to talk to, you can also contact the Samaritans here.
Construction Sport offers advice on coping with mental health difficulties here.
You can find more advice about mental health at Mind here.
Rethink Mental Illness can help here.
The Sandy Health Centre offers an A-Z of mental health organisations here.