Construction firm, Skanska, has partnered with Maximus to provide mental health support for their UK employees and help improve wellbeing in the wider construction sector.
As part of the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service, Maximus has said it will work with Skanska to deliver webinars, training and workshops across its UK sites, covering topics including prevention of burnout, suicide awareness, PTSD awareness, and links between physical and mental health.
Kaylena Mushen, Partnerships Lead for the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service at Maximus, said: “Research shows that people working in the construction industry can be disproportionately affected by mental health problems, with stress, depression, or anxiety accounting for 27% of all work-related illness in this predominantly male sector.
“Our partnership with Skanska ensures that their UK employees gain access to confidential, work-centred support. We hope that the partnership will help to underline the importance of mental wellbeing within the construction sector.”
Megan Taylor, Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing at Skanska UK, said: “Employees can feel overwhelmed when coping with poor mental health, and we feel that more can be done to support them. Through our partnership with Maximus, Skanska will lead the way in provision of workforce mental health support within the construction sector. Good work is good for health, and the support offered by Maximus can only benefit those that need it.”
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said: “With ambassadors for men’s health increasingly focused on the importance of mental health, this Men’s Health Awareness Week provides a great opportunity to reflect on how employers can support the mental health and wellbeing of their employees.
“We know how important it is that men are encouraged to share their feelings, and employers, particularly in male-dominated industries like construction, are in a good position to help with this.
“The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is an excellent resource, and I am thrilled that the partnership between Maximus and Skanska will extend its reach and allow people to access greater information and support to boost their mental wellbeing and that of others.”
The service is said to provide a package of cost-free mental health workplace support to employers, including wellness recovery action plans and expert guidance on workplace adjustments.
