31st May 2024 By
Clark Contracts has invested in additional training to help tackle the mental health challenges within the construction industry, by training 33 employees as qualified Mental Health First Aiders.
Employees ranging from office staff to site users have completed a Mental Health First Aid course, delivered by St Andrew’s First Aid and are now qualified Mental Health First Aiders. The course covers a range of mental health related subjects including identifying mental health conditions, providing advice and learning how to start a conversation about mental health, stress, drugs and alcohol and their affects and more.
Clark Contracts first provided Mental Health training to all employees in 2016 in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and since then they have continuously delivered training and awareness sessions on Mental Health to all employees.
The construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor also operates a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, provided by MetLife, which is staffed by fully trained counsellors giving all employees access to a confidential counselling and information service which provides them with practical and emotional support.
Managing Director, Gordon Cunningham said, “Around 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental illness each year, with this figure reaching over 1 in 2 within the construction industry and over two thirds of construction workers believe there is a stigma surrounding mental health.
With stark statists noting that each day, the equivalent of two construction workers are taking their own lives as a result of poor mental health, it was important for us to continue to take steps towards tackling this and providing our employees with further support regarding mental health.”
Clark Contracts nominated company charity is Scottish Action for Mental Health, who also provide support and information of mental health throughout the year. Employees across the business have raised over £15k for the charity through a variety of fundraisers, physical events, and raffles since launching the partnership in 2022.
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