Taking action for Mental Health Awareness Week

With 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health problem every year and 1 in 6 working-age adults experiencing symptoms associated with mental ill health, increasing awareness of this issue and taking action to address it couldn’t be more important.

That’s why this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is themed ‘Take Action – for yourself, for others and for all of us’. Keep reading this week’s blog to find out more about the campaign and what we’re doing at Sheriff this week and beyond.

Why ‘Take Action’

Although raising awareness of the mental health challenges people face is vital, real change comes when we take action – whether that’s a small step someone takes to improve their own mental health, a supportive action to help a colleague at work or collective action that helps create a mentally healthier society.

Take action for yourself

When life feels more challenging than normal, it can be a sign that your mental health needs some extra care and attention. Different approaches will work for different people, but some simple practical ideas include planning something to look forward to, eating well, spending time in nature, being creative, practising mindfulness and talking things through with someone you trust.

Read more tips from the Mental Health Foundation HERE.

Take action for someone else

If you’re concerned about someone else’s mental health, starting a conversation may feel daunting, but it is often one of the most important things you can do.

You don’t need to have the perfect words. Simply letting someone know you’ve noticed and care about them can make a real difference – for example: “I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed yourself lately, how are you really doing?” Then give them your full attention and be prepared to listen without judgement.

Read more about how to start a conversation HERE.

Take action for society

While treatment and crisis responses to mental ill health are vital, lasting change also depends on addressing the conditions that can negatively impact mental health in the first place – things like poverty, insecure work, discrimination, harmful relationships and loneliness.

Many of these issues require funding and political action, but there are still practical steps organisations and individuals can take to support a mentally healthier society. In the workplace, that might include training managers to recognise the signs of poor mental health, creating anti-discriminatory policies, promoting job security and encouraging a culture of belonging.

What we’re doing at Sheriff Construction

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Sheriff Construction is sharing a range of resources with our team and wider social media following.

This includes guidance from the Mental Health Foundation – the leading force behind this campaign – as well as resources from SOS Silence of Suicide, one of the charities we have supported over the past year.

In addition, we have asked our whole team to complete an online mental health awareness course designed to give them a greater understanding of the signs and symptoms of mental ill health, provide guidance on positive wellbeing and how to support others who may be struggling, and the values that promote positive mental health in the workplace.

Final thoughts

Poor mental health can affect anyone at any time and covers a wide range of issues, including low mood, stress, anxiety and depression. Some challenges may require professional treatment, while others can be eased through simple actions such as talking things through or feeling supported by those around us. In some cases, issues could even be prevented through better systems, policies and workplace cultures.

Taking the time to increase awareness and commit to meaningful action – however small – can be a powerful step towards positive change.

Find out more about mental health awareness and the campaign to take action HERE.

Find out more about mental health and suicide prevention HERE.

What actions do you think workplaces and individuals can take to better support mental health? We’d love to hear your thoughts – join the conversation with us on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

12.05.2026

Feature image: Magnific

Deaf Awareness Week – creating more inclusive workplaces in construction

Deaf Awareness Week (4 – 10 May) is an important opportunity to recognise the experiences of people who are deaf or have hearing loss, and to reflect on how we can create more inclusive environments in everyday life and at work.

Last year, we marked this week by sharing a blog on communication challenges in construction and how simple changes can make a big difference. That piece led to something far more meaningful than we could have anticipated – it connected us with a local college and Rehan, a student looking for an opportunity in the industry. Read on to learn more about Deaf Awareness Week, Rehan’s story and how we can all communicate more effectively.

Construction worker on site, crouched down, pointing at a worn plank of wood over a hole in the ground, holding a clipboard. Representing a near miss being identified on site.

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28 April 2026

Near misses in construction – why reporting them matters more than you think

In construction, not every safety incident results in injury or damage. Sometimes, something goes wrong – but no one gets hurt. It is easy to see these moments as ‘lucky escapes’ and move on.

However, these incidents, known as near misses, are often the most important warnings a site will ever get. Whether it is a tool falling from height but missing someone or a vehicle reversing too close to a pedestrian, near misses highlight where things are starting to go wrong. Left unaddressed, the next time may not end so well. Keep reading this week’s blog to understand what near misses are and why recording them is essential for improving safety.

Small group of people looking over a 3D model of a town plan on a table

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7 April 2026

From housing targets to real communities – what the new towns programme could mean for our region

The government has recently set out proposals to support the development of a new generation of towns across England, marking one of the most ambitious approaches to housebuilding in decades.

While the headlines focus on housing numbers, the wider ambition is clear. These developments are intended to go beyond simply delivering homes, instead creating well-planned communities that benefit from the infrastructure, services and amenities needed to support long-term growth. Keep reading this week’s blog to understand what the new towns programme involves and what it could mean in practice.

Two model houses on a work surface with one showing an energy efficiency rating card. Both models are reflected in the shiny surface. An office environment is blurred in the background.

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31 March 2026

The Future Homes Standard explained – what’s changing for new build housing

The Future Homes Standard has been widely discussed across the construction and housing sectors in recent months, as government sets out plans to improve the energy performance of new homes.

While much of the focus has been on timelines and policy changes, the core message is clear. The way new homes are designed and built is evolving, with a stronger focus on energy efficiency, lower carbon emissions and long-term affordability for homeowners.

Take a look at this week’s blog to understand what the Future Homes Standard involves and what it could mean for the future of housebuilding.

Image of a man on a construction site, sitting down with his head in his hands, looking stressed.

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23 March 2026

Managing work-related stress: understanding the pressures and how to respond

Whether you are working on site or in an office-based role, the demands of the construction industry are constant. Deadlines are tight, programmes need to be met, quality standards must be maintained and safety is always a priority. With so many moving parts, the stakes are high – and that can create significant stress if not managed effectively.

Understanding the key pressure points is the first step in addressing work-related stress, particularly in fast-paced environments like construction. Keep reading to explore what these are and what they mean in practice.

Image of a man standing in a park holding a giant clock. The man is on the right hand side of the image and only his torso and legs are visible. There is a large tree in the background to the left side of the image.

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17 March 2026

Managing your time: seven practical tips for busy construction professionals

From managing complex programmes and coordinating subcontractors to handling safety, budgets and client relationships, the day-to-day reality of construction is a constant balancing act. While we cannot create more hours in the day, we can make better use of the time we have.

Effective time management in construction is not just about productivity. It directly impacts a company’s ability to deliver successful projects. Get it right and work runs smoothly. Get it wrong and delays, inefficiencies and avoidable costs quickly follow. Here are seven practical tips to help construction professionals manage their time more effectively.

Selection of construction-related PPE set against a hard wooden floor. Items include a hard hat, boots, ear defenders and gloves.

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11 March 2026

Focus on safety: PPE – your last line of defence

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, remains one of the most visible and recognisable elements of construction site safety. Hard hats, high-visibility clothing, safety glasses and protective footwear are all part of everyday working life on site.

But while PPE may feel routine, it should never be taken for granted. It is often described as the last line of defence – the final protective layer when other control measures cannot fully eliminate safety risks. Used correctly, PPE helps prevent serious injury; using it incorrectly or while damaged can give a false sense of security.

In this week’s Focus on Safety feature, we look at why PPE is so important, when it is required, and how to ensure it is properly fitted, maintained and inspected.

Image showing a hand holding a pencil above a set of town planning drawings, with some of the buildings having a 3D appearance

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3 March 2026

£9 billion unspent: when developer contributions fail to reach communities

When new homes are built, they are supposed to bring more to local communities than bricks and mortar. Through Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy, developers contribute millions of pounds each year towards local infrastructure – funding schools, healthcare facilities, transport improvements and affordable housing.

Yet recent figures show that more than £9 billion in developer contributions is currently sitting unspent in local authority accounts. For communities waiting for improved services and infrastructure, that is not just an accounting issue – it is a missed opportunity. Read this week’s blog to understand why rising unspent contributions matter and what the real impact is for local areas.