IN THE KNOW _ WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters UPDATES FROM THE UK CONSTRUCTION SECTOR YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
WHY IT MATTERS HY IT ERS
FMB charity partner works to prevent industry suicides The FMB’s national charity partner, The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has partnered with Ripple Suicide Prevention to improve the mental wellbeing of construction workers in the UK. There is a pressing need for this type of intervention given how many workers in the industry suffer from high levels of stress but have limited access to emotional and pyschological support. The partnership aims to: encourage conversations around mental health and suicide prevention; increase awareness of the support available to construction workers; and help employers build safer, more supportive workplaces. The Lighthouse Charity provides confidential, in-person, online and telephone support delivered by trained professionals with sector expertise. Ripple Suicide Prevention’s technology adds a layer of protection for at-risk individuals by intercepting harmful online searches related to suicide and self-harm, and signposting users to free, 24/7 support. It is provided to individual users and educational institutions at no cost through the Ripple Suicide Prevention charity and is deployed in workplaces via Ripple For Business.
Construction is one of the highest- risk industries for suicide in the UK.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50, and for those working in construction, g en ose ion,
the risk is four times greater.
Pressure, pace, and resilience – seen as strengths – make it harder for people to seek help.
News in numbers
885,000 The number of construction SMEs in the UK (at the start of 2025), accounting for 16% of the 5.64m small businesses across all sectors.
5,594 The number of homes kept empty due to Gateway 3 delays by the Building Safety Regulator.
Source: Freedom of information (FOI) request by law firm Irwin Mitchell
Source: Federation of Small Businesses
18 Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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