Enough Construction Workers to Build a City Have Died by
Suicide in the Last Decade.
A new campaign is being launched in 10 cities across the UK to remember more than 7,000 construction workers who have died by suicide in the past decade. The UK has missed out on building a city the size of Cardiff due to the mental health crisis in the construction industry, which sees two tradespeople per day taking their own lives.
Campaign Overview:
The “Lost City” campaign sheds light on an urgent crisis in the UK construction industry. Over 7,000 construction workers have died by suicide in the past decade – equivalent to the population needed to build a new city. The campaign starkly illustrates the human and economic impact of these tragic losses. This effort aims to raise public awareness and secure £2.5 million to provide life-saving mental health support, including therapy sessions, to tradespeople across the UK.
What’s happening?
In a powerful visual statement, 7,000 hard hats will be placed across the UK, each representing a life lost to suicide within the construction industry. Accompanying them, 10 cities nationwide will see reimagined construction signs, serving as poignant reminders of the workers who could have built our homes, schools, and hospitals but were lost to mental health struggles. This is being coordinated by On The Tools, the largest online construction community in the UK, with 8.5 million followers across their social platforms.
Where?
These signs will be taking over key cities across the UK: London, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
Key Objectives:
- Raise Awareness: Elevate public consciousness around the critical mental health crisis facing UK construction workers.
- Raise £2.5 Million: Funding will directly support tradespeople in accessing crucial mental health services and therapy, aiming to prevent future loss of life.
‘We want to provide therapy to tradespeople in the UK to save the next 7,000’.
Co-founder and CEO of On The Tools, Lee Wilcox.
Key Stats
The suicide rate in construction is four times the national average. (SOURCE: ONS)
● Over the last decade, more than 7,000 construction workers have died by
suicide.
● These lost lives could have built 150,000 affordable homes, 78 schools, 200
apartment blocks, 30 small offices, 1 large hospital, and more.
● UK tradespeople are 26% more likely than other workers to experience mental
ill health (SOURCE: ON THE TOOLS)
The Reality of the Construction Suicide Crisis:
Beneath the towering cranes and scaffolding of the UK’s construction sites, a hidden crisis is reaching breaking point. The nation’s tradespeople – the backbone of our infrastructure – are crumbling under a relentless weight, not of concrete and steel, but of unaddressed mental health struggles that threaten to bring the industry to its knees.
The construction industry has a suicide rate four times the national average, with mental health struggles often overshadowed by the demands of grueling work hours, financial pressures, and high levels of isolation. The impact is both personal and widespread, with more than 70% of tradespeople reporting mental health issues, and 64% turning to alcohol or drugs to cope.
If doctors, teachers or white-collar professionals were experiencing this crisis, it would be high on the national agenda to fix. However much of the UK public are unaware of the scale of the issue. That’s why On The Tools have brought together the industry to distribute these signs across the UK that highlight the number of lives lost over the last decade, and a stark warning about the suicide crisis.
The campaign underscores the potential scale of lost output: 150,000 homes, 78 schools, and numerous public facilities structures that could have transformed communities but remain unbuilt due to these preventable deaths.
Industry-Specific Challenges:
- Isolation: With 96% of tradespeople working alone, the isolation heightens Mental health risks. Financial Strain: 65% experience financial stress, often exacerbated by inconsistent payments, impacting well-being.
- Inadequate Mental Health Support: Only 32% of workers have access to counseling, with many unaware of available support systems.
- This human and economic toll is unsustainable. In 2023 alone, mental health-related absences cost the industry £2.74 billion. This campaign calls for the sector to confront these challenges head-on.
Wider Visual Impact – The Lost City:
Through visualizing the potential of a lost city—a city that could have existed if not for the construction suicide crisis—this campaign brings attention to the staggering losses of lives and human potential. This city, with 150,000 homes, 78 schools, and vital community spaces, is a poignant reminder of what has been lost and why change is essential.
Available for comment (please note, we have an extensive network of tradespeople we can also call on for interview if none of the below suit):
Lee Wilcox, Co-founder and CEO of On The Tools:
Lee is the Co-founder and CEO of On The Tools: the UK’s largest and most engaged online community for tradespeople.
Millions of people watch, read and engage with On The Tools’ content across social, digital and traditional media platforms each and every day. The On The Tools mission is connecting construction to improve the lives of every Tradesperson in the UK. This is the driver behind the content, campaigns, and products that On The Tools creates.
Lee is dedicated to listening, understanding, and acting on the needs of tradespeople: giving them the same level of opportunity as those in the white collar world. This sets On The Tools apart as a vital resource and community hub for those In the industry.
Gavin Crane, CEO of Construction charity Band of Builders:
Gavin Crane is a leading figure at Band of Builders, a charity dedicated to supporting tradespeople and their families through some of life’s toughest challenges. With a background deeply rooted in construction, Gavin has firsthand knowledge of the mental and physical demands on tradespeople. At Band of Builders, he helps bring tradespeople together to volunteer on projects that support colleagues facing illness, disability, or hardship. Gavin’s commitment to improving the lives of his fellow tradespeople has helped foster a culture of compassion, resilience, and unity in the
industry.
Steve Kerslake CEO of Construction Sport:
Steve Kerslake is the founder of Construction Sport, an initiative designed to promote mental health and physical well-being within the construction industry through sport and physical activities. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by tradespeople, Steve uses sport as a powerful tool to connect individuals, build community, and improve mental resilience. His work with Construction Sport has inspired countless tradespeople to prioritise their health, engage with their peers, and tackle the stigma around mental health in a positive and accessible way.
James Reeve, owner of painting & decorating company Royal Spa Decoration:
The ‘Tradespeople Against Tool Theft’ white paper found that 68% of tradespeople surveyed worry about tool theft every single day. James has been directly affected by tool theft, and it was a contributing factor to struggles with mental ill health. “Having had my own experiences of bad mental health and knowing the pressures and pitfalls associated with working within the construction industry, unlike many of the general public; I have first hand insight to the lack of support and the insanely high statistics of both suicide and poor mental health that this industry is currently suffering with. An imminent and drastic change is needed to prevent further loss of life and find a way of truly supporting those who need it. I’m proud to take part in project 7000 in the hope of making this goal happen.”
Joe Baker, Founder of Second City Screed:
‘My experience with mental health is both positive and negative. We all experience mental health everyday in our lives. Sometimes this is positive and sometimes negative. I’ve had both experiences on my journey and wouldn’t be where I am today without seeing both ends of the scale. The reason I am involved in the ‘Lost City’ campaign is because more needs to be done to raise awareness of how rife this pandemic is in our industry.’
About Our Partners:
- On The Tools: As the UK’s largest tradespeople community, On The Tools amplifies voices and provides resources to improve tradespeople’s lives.
- Band of Builders: This charity provides practical, financial, and wellbeing support to UK construction workers facing life-altering circumstances.
- Construction Sport: Offers UK construction workers a healthy outlet through sports, enhancing physical and mental well-being.
Suicide in the industry affects every one of us.
That’s why 15 different companies in the trade have come together to make this project possible:
Bostik, CT1, SIG Roofing, Crown Paints, Speedy Hire, Toolstation, Jewson, Trade Direct Insurance, Paintwell Ltd, Howdens, The IPG, CEF, Wienerberger, LG Harris
Interview Availability:
Campaign spokespersons, mental health advocates, and representatives from Band of Builders, Construction Sport, and On The Tools are available for interviews.
Suggested Interview Questions:
● Can you tell me about this research?
● Why has mental health remained such a hidden issue in the construction industry?
● How can initiatives like On The Tools, Band of Builders, and Construction Sport support tradespeople’s mental health?
● What are the main barriers to seeking help, and how can the industry address them?
● How can the industry better support marginalised groups, like women and neurodiverse tradespeople?
● How important is education in breaking down mental health stigma, and what more is needed?
● What key changes in policy, culture, or support could improve tradespeople’s wellbeing?
● Where can we go for more information?
Call to Action:
Help us raise £2.5 million in order to provide therapy to tradespeople in the UK to save the next 7,000.
Join us in building a future where tradespeople are not just safe but truly supported. Let’s make mental health a priority in an industry that builds the world we live in.