Construction & Trades
Building everything for everyone else can leave nothing for yourself.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 now. If you need to talk right now, call Samaritans on 116 123, or text SHOUT to 85258.
Why this hits hard
Construction has the highest suicide rate of any industry in the UK. That is not a footnote — it is a crisis happening on sites every week.
The work is physical, insecure, and often paid by the job. Layoffs, late payments, and boom-and-bust cycles make money a constant stress. You cannot plan when the next cheque is never guaranteed.
The culture is macho. You crack on. You do not talk. You take the mick out of anyone who does. That culture keeps men silent until silence becomes unbearable.
Signs you are not okay
If you recognise yourself here, that is not a weakness. It is a sign to act.
Turning up late, skipping days, or not caring about jobs you used to take pride in
Drinking heavily after work or on your own
Money worries you are not telling anyone about
Feeling like one more delay, one more bad job, will tip you over
Making dark jokes that are not really jokes
What you can do right now
Text SHOUT to 85258 right now if you cannot say it out loud. No one on site needs to know.
Next time a mate goes quiet, ask them twice if they are okay. The second time is the one that counts.
If money is the pressure, look at our Practical Problems page — there are free debt and housing lines that cost you nothing to call.
You build things that last. You are allowed to build a life that lasts too. The hardest tool to pick up is the phone. Pick it up anyway.
Your story could save a life in Construction & Trades
If you have been through the storm and found a way through — or if you are still in it — other men in construction & trades need to hear it. No graphic details. No methods. Just honest words about what happened, what helped, and what kept you here.
Share Your StoryYou can submit anonymously. Every story is reviewed before it is published.
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