Shifting the Culture: Mental Health in the Trades and the Importance of Speaking Up

“There is definitely a sense of unity in the maintenance and construction industries. This is something I felt at British Gas,” Kevin reflects. Yet despite the strong bonds shared between workers, he admits that his time as an engineer was often a lonely experience. “A lot of my time was spent alone in my van, and I only saw my colleagues at lunch.” For Kevin, these lunch breaks were a vital social outlet, offering moments to connect, share frustrations, and enjoy some light-hearted banter. But once lunch was over, it was back to the solitude of the van. This sense of isolation is something many tradespeople can relate to, spending a large portion of their day alone with their thoughts.

After transitioning into a managerial role and spending much of his time working remotely, Kevin found solace in cafes, where he could get out of the house and people watch while working. “I enjoyed that, until the pandemic hit. When it did, I’d spend 9-5 every day alone in my office.” The shift to remote working, without the chance to spend time in public spaces, took a toll on his mental well-being. “Not being able to go out had a massive effect on me.”

Now in his role at Turn Power, a company that provides heating, hot water, and air conditioning services to restaurants, Kevin finds himself back in an office environment, and it has made all the difference. "I feel less lonely now than when I was in my van alone," he shares. The social aspect of being in an office again has had a significant positive impact on his mental health.

Having completed Mental Health First Aid training during his time at British Gas, Kevin recognises the importance of mental health support in the industry. "As men, we don’t speak. We think we can’t talk, so we don’t open up." He is candid about the stigma surrounding mental health discussions, particularly among men in the trades. “I’m a hypocrite,” he acknowledges that while he will always encourage others to speak up, he struggles to do so himself.

Kevin believes this reluctance to open up is common among men. He compares the long phone conversations his wife has with her friends, where they openly share how they’re feeling, with the lack of similar discussions between him and his friends. “I don’t think I’ve ever been asked how I am by a friend, but equally, I’ve never asked a friend that either. We will go to the pub and talk about football, but we don’t mention how we’re feeling.”

At Turn Power, there are resources available to employees, including a helpline that Kevin encourages his colleagues to use. He recalls a time when one of his engineers was struggling mentally and he pushed them to use the available support. Despite this, Kevin admits that he doesn’t always feel comfortable using these resources himself. "The problem is, you feel like you’re the only one struggling, but you’re never alone. If you share your problems, it really does help," he reflects.

When asked about the progress of mental health awareness in the trades, Kevin acknowledges that things are slowly improving, but there's still a long way to go. "It’s better than it used to be, but if I were to compare it to a marathon, I’d say we’re only halfway there," he says. While conversations around mental health are becoming more common, Kevin believes there’s still more work to be done to reduce the stigma and encourage open dialogue.

According to Kevin, the need to appear "macho" or tough is a major barrier to people speaking up. Until that mindset changes, the stigma surrounding mental health will persist. "The person who’s hiding it the best is probably the most unhappy," he states. For Kevin, the key to breaking this cycle is encouraging more open conversations about mental health, both at work and in the wider community. "The more that people talk about it, the more it will stick with others.”

Kevin's story is a reminder that even in industries where strength is often emphasised, stress and mental health struggles are all too common — and acknowledging them is crucial. His willingness to talk about his own experiences is a significant step toward changing the narrative for others in the trades.

Read our Mental Health in the Trades Report to learn more about the mental health challenges faced by tradespeople and the resources that are available to offer support.