Lioncourt Homes takes mental health seriously

Committed to tackling mental health issues within the construction industry, Lioncourt Homes is supporting employees to become Mental Health First Aiders; a move it believes will help encourage open conversations within the workplace and allow team members to access appropriate support if, and when, needed.

According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2020 workers in construction were at some of the highest risk of suicide in the country, at 3.7 times higher than the national average. Part of the problem is that almost half of employees in construction said they find it hard to talk about their mental health. This is something that Lioncourt Homes wants to change.

picture of the lioncourt team standing together

Off to a successful start, 17% of employees at Lioncourt Homes are now fully-trained, confident and competent Mental Health First Aiders who are able to spot the signs and respond to the mental and physical needs of a person experiencing a mental health issue.  These employees include those in senior positions and across all areas of the business, including site teams.

Colin Cole, Chief Executive at Lioncourt Homes, said: “Health and safety is something that we take incredibly seriously, and that includes mental health.

“The construction industry is an exciting place to work but it can also mean working in a high-pressure environment. Tight timescales, on-site risks, managing budgets and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction are all a priority and can all have a huge impact on your mental health.

“Education and training are key to addressing the stigma surrounding mental health. By starting conversations and raising awareness, we can help our team to identify and address any issues early. Being proactive with our mental health can make a huge difference. We encourage employees to check-in on each other, to share their problems and to access support when needed. There should be no stigma in discussing our mental health.

“I’m delighted in the uptake we’ve had with our training of Mental Health First Aiders and believe they will make a real difference in providing a supportive workplace. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken on this role so far.”

Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to tackling the mental health crisis, Lioncourt Homes will continue to work with the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity to train a further five Mental Health First Aiders over the next six months.