Texts about suicide have accounted for 30.4% of the messages to the Big Brew’s helpline since the service was launched this time last year.
The service was set up in a bid to tackle the mental health crisis in the construction industry, it can be accessed by texting BOB to 85258.
The figures come at a time when the suicide rate amongst construction workers has risen for the fifth year in a row and is more than three times that of other careers or professions.
Texts about suicide are nearly double the number seeking help for depression, which is 16.2%. A further 15.4% reached out due to stress/anxiety, 14.2% for relationship issues and 14% for isolation.
These are the headline results from the text service run by Band of Builders, which organises the Big Brew, an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness of the mental health crisis in the construction industry by encouraging trades people to open up about their mental health over a cuppa.
Data from the text service also shows that 44.2% of builders and contractors using the service did so during the working day and 20.3% texted between midnight and 2am.
It also shows that Fridays are the busiest day of the week for service usage, with a share of 22.4%, and the overall total is 80.6% for the working week.
Gavin Crane, Big Brew spokesperson, said: “The construction industry is known for its demanding and often high-pressure work environment.
“Unfortunately, these conditions can contribute to elevated stress levels, anxiety and other mental health issues among tradespeople. It is crucial that we recognise and address these challenges to create a healthier and more supportive industry culture.
“We are committed to raising awareness about mental health in construction and providing resources to support tradespeople in need – and the Big Brew is a way of creating safe spaces for open conversations, reducing stigma and promoting mental wellbeing.”