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A new campaign across UK cities is raising awareness about the suicide crisis in the construction industry.
Project 7,000 – The Lost City highlights the 7,000 construction workers who have died by suicide in the UK over the last decade – the number of labourers it would take to build a city the size of Cardiff.
A visualisation on the campaign’s website shows what those workers could have built if they were alive today, including 150,000 affordable homes, 78 new schools and one hospital.
Construction has a suicide rate more than three times higher than the national average, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
A 2022 CIOB mental health study revealed that 87% of workers in the built environment experience anxiety, 70% suffer from depression and 26% have suicidal thoughts.
Construction community network On the Tools has published a white paper included in the Lost City launch.
The research reveals that all of the UK tradeswomen surveyed reported poor mental health. It also shows that the majority (85%) of UK tradespeople who have worked in the industry between two and three decades have experienced depression or anxiety.
The Lost City project was created by construction charity Band of Builders, Construction Sport and On the Tools.
The Samaritans provides 24/7 support on 116 123.
Construction workers can text BOB to 85258 to access mental health support. The Lighthouse Club also provides a confidential 24/7 support helpline on 0345 605 1956 to anyone in the industry who needs financial or wellbeing support.
Mental health support and advice for CIOB members, past members and related family is available through CIOB Assist. CIOB, in partnership with Anxiety UK, also provides wellbeing support.
