On World Suicide Prevention Day, Pirtek UK & Ireland is urging leaders across engineering, construction, and other hard hat industries to take meaningful action on mental health – particularly among male workers who remain most at risk.
Why Mental Health Matters in Heavy Industries
Pirtek’s Under the Hard Hat (UTHH) campaign, launched in October 2024 in partnership with men’s suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club and former Special Forces soldier Ollie Ollerton, has been shining a light on the silent mental health crisis affecting thousands of workers.
“Mental health is an invisible force that affects every one of us,” explains Martyn Smart, QHSE Manager at Pirtek UK.
“But in industries where toughness is the norm, vulnerability is often seen as a weakness. That mindset is costing lives. We need to stop assuming resilience means silence. Real strength is found in openness, empathy, and support.”
What the Numbers Say
Pirtek’s 2024 UTHH survey revealed some stark realities about life in the hard hat industries:
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94% of professionals have felt stressed, anxious, depressed, or lonely.
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14 in 100 workers have experienced thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
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Mental health-related absence is three times higher than the national average.
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41% of workplaces lack sufficient mental health support.
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More than half of workers feel uncomfortable or awkward discussing their mental health.
These figures underline the urgent need for cultural change – where mental health is treated with the same seriousness as physical safety.
Taking Action in the Workplace
Pirtek believes every workplace can play a role in changing the conversation. Here are five ways leaders can make a difference:
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Lead with openness
Strength doesn’t mean silence. Leaders who share their own struggles, even briefly, set the tone for honesty and compassion. A simple “I’ve had days like that too” can go a long way. -
Check in before it’s critical
Regular, informal conversations – during toolbox talks, over coffee, or at the end of a shift – can help spot issues early. Listening without judgment matters more than finding instant solutions. -
Make support visible and accessible
Posters in break rooms, numbers on payslips, regular mentions in team briefings – visibility matters. If support becomes part of everyday conversation, people are more likely to use it. -
Challenge outdated attitudes
The ‘man up’ mentality is fading, but it still lingers. Normalising vulnerability, encouraging peer support, and celebrating openness can help break old habits. Looking out for each other should be part of the job. -
Offer more than one route to help
With NHS wait times for mental health support at record highs – often over 18 months – workplaces need to provide alternatives. Employers can:-
Signpost services like Andy’s Man Club, Hub of Hope, and the Breakpoint app.
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Introduce mental health first aiders.
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Invest in Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs).
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Support peer networks that make talking about mental health the norm.
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As Smart adds:
“We need to stop telling people to ‘man up’ and start asking them how they really are. Mental health support should be as visible and normalised as a hard hat on site.”
Join the Movement
Pirtek’s Under the Hard Hat campaign is committed to breaking the silence and reshaping workplace culture. To learn more, access resources, and hear real stories from the industry, visit our Under the Hard Hat page.
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