Banter culture among builders ‘increases their suicide rate’

♦ The “banter orientated” culture on building sites is contributing to the high rates of suicide among construction workers, a charity campaigner has warned.

Bill Hill, chief executive of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, said the maledominated industry has not got to grips with employees talking about their emotions for fear of being ridiculed.

Experts say that with insecure contracts, long hours away from family and isolation, this is likely to have played a role in the 400 suicides of construction workers annually in the UK.

“It is a banter-orientated industry that has not quite got to grips with diversity and being PC,” said Mr Hill. “If you have a mental health issue it is tough to talk about it and we are trying to break that culture and create one which is more diverse.”

The charity has launched the “Save a Life” campaign to provide more emotional support to employees.