HAE mental strength campaign grows
13 June 2022
The new initiative to help tackle work-related stress levels within the hire industry has held its first event to raise awareness of the issue.
Spearheaded by Asif Latief, managing director of Boels Rental, and Paul Gaze, CEO of Hire Association Europe and Event Hire Association (HAE EHA), #UnitedforMentalStrength aims to support mental well-being across the sector’s workforce.
Stress, depression or anxiety accounts for one fifth of all work-related illness. Moreover, statistics show that every working day in the UK, two construction workers take their own life.
Held at the Boels depot in Stoke-on-Trent, the inaugural meeting set out a collaborative approach. It is hoped that by working together all HAE EHA members and non-members will raise awareness of common mental health issues that affect the workforce and which can lead to a negative impact on an individual’s well-being at work.
Asif Latief, pictured left, said: “We all have common goals when it comes to mental strength. #UnitedforMentalStrength is only the start of the crusade to create momentum with further initiatives planned. By working collaboratively, we can make a difference by sharing our activities, our experiences and the challenges we have come up against when dealing with mental health issues.”
Paul Gaze added: “In order to develop mental strength we need to understand mental health. Through being open-minded and our willingness to address this issue it will have a long-term impact on our industry, the wider community and society as a whole. Talking about it helps remove any embarrassment or stigma. If we all work together to address this issue, then some real progress will be made.”
The initiative recognises that mental health problems in the construction sector can be due to the innate characteristics of the industry. It is highly mobile with many casual workers, uncertain contracts, exacting timelines and is often ‘macho’ in culture. Often people are not comfortable raising personal issues and eventually feel they cannot cope.
The campaign aims to educate the hire industry to recognise the signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression before they get out of hand, as well as giving businesses the tools and knowledge to assist employees with recovery.
Participating businesses already include: Adlington Welding Supplies, Ardent Hire Solutions, Garic, HSS, inspHire, Mr Plant Hire, One Stop Hire, Salford Red Devils Foundation, SHC Hire, Speedy Hire, Sunbelt Rentals, Towergate Insurance Brokers and Vp Brandon Hire Station.
