The Truth No One Talks About: Mental Health in the Trades

When people imagine tradespeople - carpenters, bricklayers, sparkies, mechanics, engineers - they tend to picture physical strength, practical know-how, and the kind of grit most desk workers never have to develop.

But underneath that tough exterior, there’s a reality the industry rarely voices. Mental health struggles are far more common in the trades than most realise, and the consequences can be life-changing.

It’s time we talk about the hidden crisis shaping the lives of thousands of skilled workers.

The Silent Struggle Behind the Tools

Recent research across the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand paints a consistent, troubling picture:
Mental health challenges affect the vast majority of people working in trade environments.

• Surveys show over 80% of tradespeople have dealt with anxiety, low mood, or work-related stress in the last year.
• Younger workers are especially vulnerable - over 90% of Gen Z and millennial tradespeople report mental health difficulties.
• In construction, suicide rates remain several times higher than the national average in many countries.
• For some trades, like joinery and bricklaying, stress levels are reported as the highest in the sector.

Behind these percentages are real lives - apprentices afraid to speak up, business owners under financial pressure, and long-time tradespeople carrying the cumulative weight of years of physical and emotional strain.

Why Tradespeople Face Higher Mental Health Risks

The pressures in the trades aren’t hidden - they’re part of the everyday fabric of the work. But their psychological impact is often overlooked.

From rising material costs to unpaid invoices and unpredictable workloads, financial pressure consistently tops the list of worries.
Many tradespeople feel that one bad month can destabilise them entirely.

Long days, demanding tasks, working at height, heat exposure, or handling heavy tools - the physical toll builds up fast.
Fatigue is one of the most common contributors to stress, burnout, and irritability.

Many trades have a long-standing expectation to push through pain, stay quiet about stress, and “just get on with it.”
This stigma keeps countless people from asking for help until they’re at breaking point.

Evenings spent quoting, catching up on admin, or racing to finish jobs leave little room for rest.
For self-employed tradespeople, taking a break can feel impossible - because no work means no income.

5. Limited Awareness of Support
Shockingly, around 90% of tradespeople don’t know where to access mental health support specifically tailored to them. Without clear signposts, many simply carry the burden alone.

How Mental Health Issues Show Up on the Job

Poor mental health doesn’t just affect mood - it affects safety, performance, and wellbeing.

Tradespeople report:

• Difficulty concentrating
• More mistakes than usual
• Sleeplessness
• Irritability or emotional numbness
• Feeling overwhelmed by ordinary tasks
• Reduced quality of workmanship

Some take medication or time off, while many continue working through severe stress because they feel they “can’t afford” not to.

This isn’t just a personal issue - it’s a workplace safety issue.

The Overlooked Side of Health & Safety

Health and safety in the trades is usually discussed in terms of physical risks - falls, machinery, electrical hazards, fires, chemical exposure.

But mental wellbeing directly influences these risks.

A stressed, mentally exhausted worker is more likely to:

• misjudge heights
• overlook hazards
• rush tasks
• neglect PPE
• lose focus around dangerous equipment

Safety isn’t just about the body, it’s about the mind behind it.

What Needs to Change (and How We Get There)

Real change requires more than posters or policies.
It requires a cultural shift that makes mental health a normal conversation on every job site.

Here’s what it can look like:

Leaders, team members, and business owners should feel able to talk about stress without fear of judgment.

Many tradespeople still don’t know where to turn. Industry-specific helplines, mental health apps, and peer support groups need greater visibility.

Reasonable hours, fair pay, structured breaks, and realistic workloads are not “luxuries," they’re essentials.

Understanding how to recognise early signs of stress can prevent a crisis.

Mental health is as real and valid as any physical injury and it deserves equal attention.

Where Tradespeople Can Find Help

Support exists, even if not everyone knows where to look.

UK

• Construction Industry Helpline - 0345 605 1956
• Mind – nationwide mental health charity
• Andy’s Man Club – free talking groups for men
• Lighthouse Charity App – self-help & wellbeing tools

International

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) – Call/text 988
• Local mental health hotlines available worldwide

No one should face these challenges alone, and help is always available. Mental health doesn’t make anyone “weak.” Ignoring it does. By breaking the silence, acknowledging the pressures, and supporting one another, we can build a future where tradespeople are as mentally safe as they are physically protected.

The first step is simple: start the conversation!

🔔Stay up to date with the latest in safety, sustainability, and innovation.
Subscribe to Health Safety Digital Newsletter for news, insights, and updates from across the industry.