The August Move Challenge: Stepping Up for Mental Health in Construction 

At Atkins Search, we have partnered with Tough to Talk, a charity dedicated to male suicide prevention. This august, our entire team is stepping up for our August Move Challenge to raise awareness and vital funds for Tough to Talk, to help break stigma and re-educate those on the real issues that are pushing men beyond the brink. Donate here to support Tough to Talk’s life-saving work. 

Some Tough Facts: 

• 10 men die by suicide every day in the UK 

• 4 of those work in the construction industry 

Construction work has a variety of pressures from tight contracts to long hours, time away from loved ones and managing budgets, not to mention the added stresses caused by Government initiatives and the rising costs of construction supplies. Furthermore, more than half of UK employees (including 57% of Millennials) feel uncomfortable speaking openly about mental health or psychological conditions. This lack of openness fosters a workplace culture where many suffer in silence, often missing out on the support they need.  This is a deeply concerning reality and one we refuse to accept passively. 

Why Mental Health in Construction Matters 

Mental health is a huge concern across the UK; the number of people accessing NHS mental health services has increased by more than one million in the last five years. The construction industry is not immune to the broader mental health challenges facing the UK workforce, but it also contends with a unique set of sector-specific pressures that are intensifying the crisis. 

According to an HSE report from October 2023, five core factors contribute to poor mental health in construction: high-stress environments, physical demands, job insecurity, long working hours and ongoing stigma around mental health. 

These challenges are further aggravated by wider economic pressures. Tighter budgets are leading to more rigid project deadlines, while rising living costs are pushing workers to take on excessive overtime to make ends meet. 

Job insecurity is already a long-standing issue in the construction sector where many are employed on a project-by-project basis, yet this is being deepened by national financial uncertainty. For many, this has made the future feel even less stable, compounding stress and mental strain across the construction industry. 

How We’re Moving for a Cause 

Throughout August, the team at Atkins Search is participating in the August Move Challenge, with each team member committing to weekly movement goals. Some of us are moving 10 miles per week in training for our Lake District challenge, while others are moving 4 miles per week. Every movement is a symbol of support. 

We’re wanting to prove that movement fuels mindset, and it’s all in support of breaking the silence around male suicide. 

Donate here to support Tough to Talk’s life-saving work. 

How You Can Get Involved  

• Donate to the campaign and fund a vital conversation 

• Share our message to your friends and family 

• Start a conversation with a colleague, friend or loved one 

• Small actions lead to significant change. 

Specialist Construction Recruitment Agency 

Atkins Search is a Nottingham-based construction recruitment agency providing Permanent, Temporary, and Retained Search recruitment solutions across the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, London, and Yorkshire. Our approachable, human-focused approach ensures we build meaningful relationships with both job seekers and clients. 

Specialising in Construction, Consultancy, Freelance, Executive Search, Engineering and Residential sectors, we connect top talent with leading organisations. 

Whether you’re looking to achieve your career aspirations or find exceptional candidates to enhance your team’s success, we are here to support your recruitment needs now and in the future. 

Explore our current construction job opportunities. 

Mental health is a collective responsibility. Together, we can reshape the future of the construction industry by opening conversations, supporting charities and making mental health a priority, not a taboo. 

Atkins Search is proud to support Tough to Talk. 

Frequently Asked Questions (F&Qs)