Returning to work : It’s estimated that one in four people will be affected by mental illness with issues such as anxiety and depression. It’s more common than you might think and can leave workers feeling unable to do their job properly or make it harder for them to find new job roles. The construction industry can be a tough and hardworking one and there can still be a lot of stigma surrounding mental health. However, there are some jobs in the construction industry that come with support from the company, the construction industry and there are also charities such as Mind, Rethink and SANE.

When Dave found his mental health was suffering after 25 years within the construction industry he struggled with dealing with his issues. One day he found himself struggling more than he could cope and finally found the courage to open up and talk to someone. After getting help he could take some time off, reflect and ensure that he was able to return to work with the support from his company. You can find out more about Dave’s story in the return to work section online.

If you think you might need some help coping with and mental health issues, then here are some tips to help:

1. Ask for help. This is one of the first steps you can take to getting help, you could always talk to your boss, HR or someone else on your team. If you don’t feel comfortable opening up to someone you know, you could always use one of the helplines available to talk through any issues first.

2. Take your time. Returning to work after a mental health problem is normally a positive experience as you can find a sense of well-being and it can help to boost your confidence. However, it’s important to ease yourself back into it as you don’t want to rush back into it in case you find yourself suffering again.

3. Educate your co- workers. You might find there’s some stigma around mental health and your co-workers might not know how to talk about it or know what to say. Open up a dialogue with your manager and co-workers, talking can help others understand what you are going through and might even help them too.

It’s always best to address these issues before they become too much, also it’s might be possible that other people within your company are going through something similar or have experienced it in the past. Don’t be ashamed to speak up if you need help as with the right support you’ll be able to return to work and find work a rewarding experience again.

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