CMO signs up to support mental health in construction

Construction Materials Online (CMO), the parent company of Roofing Superstore, Insulation Superstore, and Drainage Superstore, has signed up to support Mates in Mind as its charity of the year.

Construction Materials Online supports Mates in Mind

Mates in Mind was established to break the silence and stigma of mental health issues. Its ambitious goal is to have reached 75% of the construction industry by 2025.

Liz Orgill, Marketing Director at Construction Materials Online, said: “As a business, we support a number of initiatives as part of our corporate social responsibility to champion innovation and contribute to better communities. It’s becoming increasingly important to raise awareness of mental health issues in general, and particularly in our industry.

“Although it is changing, construction is still predominantly male-dominated. Sadly, research shows that men are the least likely to talk about their problems.

“Our customers range from architects and specifiers to contractors, tradespeople and those into DIY. They are busy people with increasingly pressured lives. We aim to mitigate any stress they might be under by offering convenient and helpful ways to buy their construction materials from us 24/7 with excellent customer service. Supporting this charity allows us to do even more.”

Mates in Mind certification

Mates in Mind raises awareness and understanding of mental health by providing help, information and training to prevent stress and absence from work, as well getting people back into the workplace.

CMO has over 65 staff across its three superstores. Amy Hatswell, Human Resources Manager, said: “As an employer we recognise that everyone deals with challenges in their life, both practical and emotional, which is why we provide a service giving staff easy access to confidential support services and mental health first aid. We offer a 24/7 telephone counselling support helpline, online wellbeing support portal and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy either online or face to face sessions, so staff can get the support they need in the way most suited to them.”

Stephen Haynes, Head of Programme for Mates in Mind, said: “Mental health problems represent a significant issue in construction, with over a third of workers having experienced a condition in the past year, and almost a quarter considering leaving the industry due to mental health related issues. Furthermore, low-skilled construction workers are at a far greater risk of suicide, at 3.7 times the national average for England and Wales, and we know that in many cases, people who complete suicide had never reached out for support. We are delighted to be working with CMO in helping to raise awareness and improve mental health & wellbeing across the industry”.

Construction Materials Online was first to market as an online retailer of construction materials ten years ago in 2008. It has gone from strength to strength and now offers a range of over 50,000 products, with plans to double the range and continue its growth trajectory in 2018.