As a company, we recognize and value the importance of good mental health for the well-being of our employees and the broader community. According to iHasco, poor mental health in the construction industry accounts for over 200 suicides per year. The sad and often unspoken truth of is that construction workers are prone to stress, anxiety and depression for a number of different reasons, so it is so important to equip our employees with the tools to deal with mental ill-health and aim to create environments which destigmatise conversations surrounding mental health issues.

Cognition enrols an annual mental health awareness in construction course via iHasco. Their ‘Mental Health in Construction course’ is split into 4 sections which aim to educate learners on the different types of mental health problems, the science behind our thinking, where to go to for external help, and puts a strong emphasis on breaking the stigma surrounding mental ill-health. Additionally, Cognition has a mental health first aider, Graham Bucknell, who is always available should anyone need him.

To find out more about this year’s world mental health campaign, please see the World Federation for Mental Health website: https://wmhdofficial.com/