As the nation was forced to spend more time at home due to sequential periods of lockdown, the past year and a half has seen an unprecedented increase in home renovations, with 4 in 5 homeowners spending their money on improving their home according research from Eureka!, resulting in record sales within the trade. However, the impact of such a gruelling year has resulted in workers and smaller firms operating in the domestic improvement space struggling to keep up with these unprecedented levels of demand.

Financial problems, pressures in the supply chain, and finding the right people to work with has heavily weighed on the mind of the tradespeople, causing a steep increase in the rates of anxiety and stress. Tragically, the ONS reported last year the suicide rate among construction workers is three times the national average for men, equating to more than two construction workers taking their own life every day, highlighting the magnitude of the crisis.

New research commissioned by Eureka! mirrors these findings showing 75,000 UK trade businesses are currently impacted by a potential mental health issue with 54% respondents stating mental health is a ubiquitous issue for trades professionals. A further 51% stated they knew someone in the trade who had been impacted by mental health challenges. The research also found that 69% of tradespeople said there is still a stigma towards seeking help for mental health amongst those working in the sector, preventing them from discussing it beyond close friends or family members.

Key Stats:

75,000 UK trade businesses are currently impacted by a potential mental health issue
54% of installers stated mental health is a big issue for trades professionals in general
51% said they knew someone in the trade who had been impacted by mental health challenges
69% agreed there is a stigma attached to seeking support for a mental health condition in the trades sector
Businesses that are experiencing ‘operational frictions’ are nearly three times more likely to report a possible mental health issue

For Mental Health Check-In Day, experts in the trade, Fix Radio – the UK’s only radio station dedicated to the trade – will be shedding light on the mental health crisis that is affecting the trades sector and discussing ways to support them.

With an audience 400,000 tradespeople, Fix Radio has established itself as a trusted voice within the industry. Featuring regular podcasts and interviews with some of the biggest talent in the industry including Facebook superstars, the Bald Builders and, Clive Holland of the BBC.