Van Ek, M and Le Feuvre, K (2021) The perception of mental health in small to medium enterprises in the welsh construction industry. In: Scott, L and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 37th Annual ARCOM Conference, 6-7 September 2021, Online Event, UK.
Abstract
Mental health poses a significant problem in the UK with 1 in 4 people annually experiencing a mental health condition. Men continue to account for three-quarters of suicide deaths, with construction trade and semi-skilled men presenting with higher-than-average suicide rates. Employers have a positive role to play in improving the nation’s mental health and to promote positive mental health within the workplace to improve productivity. Small to Medium Enterprises (SME’s) dominate the UK private sector, accounting for 99.9% of the business population; construction is the largest industrial sector in terms of SME numbers. This paper presents an exploratory study investigating the perception of mental health within the small and medium enterprise construction sector in Wales. The paper highlighted that within most SME’s there is a workplace culture stigmatizing mental health. There remains a reluctance within the workplace to openly discuss mental health. Efforts need to address the grassroots level to increase awareness and openness. Legislative change is required to further encompass mental health, thereby giving (mental health) parity with physical health in safety law. Furthermore, curriculum changes are needed to embed mental health as part of current trade and related educational provisions.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | health and safety , mental health, small businesses, well-being. |
| Index terms: | small business, well-being, suicide, population, construction industry, accounting, Wales, construction sector, mental health, health and safety, productivity, private sector, exploratory study |
| Subjects: | health safety and environment, Geography, research methods, management, environmental health, industry analysis, health conditions and diseases, demography, mental health and wellbeing, organization, economic analysis |
| Topics: | Urban Studies, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here