A new suicide prevention training programme specifically tailored for the Scottish construction industry is set to launch in Autumn 2025, thanks to a collaboration between Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland and Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH).

The initiative has received significant backing from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), which has awarded £239,000 in funding from its Industry Impact Fund for the development of the bespoke training and resource programme.

Designed to address the unique pressures faced by workers in the construction sector, the programme aims to provide companies and individuals across Scotland with essential tools. It will equip participants with the skills needed to identify colleagues who may be experiencing mental health problems or contemplating suicide, and enable them to provide meaningful support and interventions. The programme will be made available to the entire industry throughout Scotland.

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CITB has actively supported mental health initiatives, having helped nearly 52,000 people complete mental health first aid and awareness training since 2020. The organisation has been vocal about the need for improved access to mental health support within the construction sector. The Industry Impact Fund, launched in April 2023, is specifically designed to empower employers to create new, scalable, and sustainable training solutions where gaps exist.

Vanessa Freeman, CITB Head of Grant & Funding Products, commented: "We're proud to be supporting such an important initiative for the Scottish construction sector. We believe the programme will play a vital role in tackling mental health challenges in the construction industry and wish everyone involved every success in the developmental phase of this programme and its resources."

Freeman added: "Too often people in construction feel like they can't talk about their mental health issues, and it's imperative we improve the poor understanding of mental health in the industry.”

The collaboration between the housebuilders and SAMH, supported by CITB's targeted funding, represents a significant step towards enhancing mental health support and suicide prevention efforts within Scotland's construction workforce.