The link between mental health and drug and alcohol use in construction

When we talk about creating safer and healthier workplaces we
often realise that a lot of employees are surprised when they
learn drug and alcohol testing is an important part of the
workforce’s safety.


But this shouldn’t be a surprise, last year just over 1 in 10
adults aged 16-59 reported taking drugs, and for those aged
16-24, it was 1 in 51. We also know the importance of supporting
employees' mental health, with 1 in 4 people in the UK
experiencing a mental health problem each year2. Today we are
going to look at the link between mental health and drug and
alcohol use in the workplace. By making managers more aware of
the problem and providing proactive support to employees, can we
help reduce the risk that drugs and alcohol pose to the
workplace?


To talk to us more about this today we have Andy Stevens. Andy
Stevens runs his own building and consultancy companies. He is a
strong advocate for mental health, especially in the construction
industry and has presented a series interviewing people in the
industry who have struggled with mental health. He has not just
spoken of his own difficulties and how he overcame them, but also
speaks at exhibitions and conferences on mental health in
construction and now advises companies and Government in America,
Canada and the UK as well as chairing many panels on this topic.
This podcast has been sponsored by Abbott.


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