Mental Health Awareness Week: The Importance of Community

Having a community of people around us is essential for our mental health. Close connections in our lives and people we can rely on for support are important to turn to if our mental health has taken a dip. This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘Community’, looking at its importance and why we need it.

The Importance of Community

Community is important for a number of reasons. We might need help from family looking after children or help from a friend looking after your home when you’re away. But never is community more important than when you’re feeling low and when you’re struggling with your mental health. A decades-long study even concluded recently that, “good relationships keep us happier and healthier.” This includes relationships with a partner, family, and friends.

But your community doesn’t have to be your partner, family, or friends. It could be people in your local area, colleagues, or a group formed out of shared interest. Having that community can help to build a sense of belonging, purpose, and even ease distress. The Mental Health Foundation has shared some helpful tips on how to find a community that’s right for you if you’re struggling to get involved.

Having community in your life can help to reduce feelings of loneliness, which can come from any number of reasons. This could be from a change in relationship, bereavement, moving, or changing your job – something that happens frequently within our industry.

Mental Health in Construction

The need for mental health support in our industry has always been crucial. Planning, Building, & Construction Today found last year that 83% of construction workers suffered from mental health issues. This includes 91% feeling overwhelmed, 96% experiencing fatigue, and 70% experiencing depression.

Some of the issues causing mental health struggles are time pressures (94%), uncertainty of working location (67%), and unrealistic deadlines (92%). Whether you have a number of issues causing your mental health to suffer, or even just one, it’s important to seek help as soon as you can.

There are many organisations available that have been created with the construction industry in mind. Lighthouse is one that we have partnered with recently, a charity that provides “emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families.”

The PSI Global Community

The team at PSI Global started their own community as a means of supporting each other’s wellbeing within the company. This included the recent Wellbeing Walk up Moel Famau, along with Rage Fitness and Calm Coffee.

Putting our workforce first has always been at the core of our values. We’ve always supported our workers mental health, but have recently gone a step further by creating our own Mental Health Scheme. This includes partnerships with Maximus and Lighthouse, two mental health organisations that will offer dedicated support to anyone working with us who may need it. Many of our account managers have also gone through the i-act for Positive Health and Wellbeing training, as well as the St John Ambulance Mental Health Responder course. This has given us the ability to have first-hand support available for our workforce as and when they need it.

Where to Get Help

While a lot of people are starting to open up more about their mental health, there’s still a lot of stigma around the topic, especially in our industry. We encourage everyone working on-site to take a moment to focus on their mental health, and if you ever need additional support, our team of Mental Health Ambassadors are available to help by emailing talk@psi-gsr.com. If you don’t have a community of your own, our team is there to help you make the first step.

The organisations below are also available for professional support, with Maximus and Lighthouse being two that we’ve partnered with for free upgraded support for you and your family.

Maximus: The service provides up to 9 months of mental health support to anyone suffering from any form of mental health issues, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed. Please contact us at the above email, or through your account manager, to see what benefits we’re able to offer you.

Lighthouse: The Lighthouse Club is a charity that is 100% dedicated to the emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing of construction industry workers and your families. They offer free and confidential support and advice on a wide variety of wellbeing issues.
Call 0345 605 1956 or text HARDHAT to 85258

NHS Crisis Team: The team is available all year to offer advice, support, and an assessment if required.
0808 196 9127

Mind: Their information line is available from 9am-6pm, Monday to Friday.
0300 123 3393

Legal Line: Legal information and general advice on mental health-related laws, available Monday to Friday from 9am-6pm.
0300 466 6463

Samaritans: Whatever you’re going through, the team is there to help any time for free.
116123

Gambling Anonymous: Multiple lines are available to call across the UK.
National: 0330 094 0322
North-East: 07771 427 429
North-West: 07974 668 999
Ulster: (028) 7135 1329

Citizens Advice: An adviser can be contacted through their national phone service.
Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848
Advicelink (Wales): 0800 702 2020

Relay UK: If you can’t hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say to the team on 18001 then 0800 144 8884.