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Ex-Everton and England footballer Trevor Steven has launched a new mental health charter to address suicide rates and psychological ill-health in the construction industry.
The Mindflow Charter, unveiled in Liverpool yesterday (29 September), aims to put psychological safety on equal footing with physical safety.
It introduces ten measurable principles designed to help contractors and supply chain firms embed mental health support on site:
- A written mental health and wellbeing policy
- Clear ownership and governance
- Equal access to mental health support
- Psychological safety management
- Leadership training and support
- Team awareness and education
- Conflict resolution and fair practices
- Measurable positive impact
- Communication and stakeholder management
- Engagement with preventive services
Mindflow is led by Steven, who has served as Causeway Technologies’ mental health ambassador for the construction sector for five years.
Causeway, a construction software company, founded the charity to reduce stigma and improve support for workers struggling with mental ill-health.
Research cited by Mindflow shows that two construction workers take their own lives every working day in the UK. A survey of more than 1,400 site workers carried out by Steven and Causeway found that over half had experienced mental health struggles.
Steven said: “With the Mindflow Charter, we’re setting clear standards. We want all construction companies to treat every worker’s mental health with the same seriousness as their physical safety.”
Backed by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and former shadow mental health minister Baroness Luciana Berger, the charter was launched at an event in Liverpool alongside former players including Jason McAteer, David White and Chris Kirkland.
The charity’s approach includes sending ex-footballers onto sites to start conversations about mental health and training site workers as mental health first aiders.
Its ‘Talk Football, Talk Mental Health’ pilot is currently under way in the North West, supported by watch brand Christopher Ward.
Mindflow has also partnered with Persimmon Homes. Karl Wiseman, deputy regional chairman at Persimmon, said the initiative has been well received by workers, describing the football link as “a match winning formula”.
Companies can sign up to the charter via the charity’s website and receive guidance on implementing the framework.
Source: Mindflow announcement