Stepladder Somerset, a men’s mental health project delivered by Second Step, have teamed up with Scruffs Workwear to support the wellbeing of men working in construction.
The project, which aims to help reduce the incidence of men’s suicides across Somerset, launched on this year’s Time to Talk Day on Thursday 3 February, by giving out free bacon butties and raising awareness of the help that’s already out there for men.
Stepladder have partnered with workwear company Scruffs Workwear and will be offering men free breakfast rolls, a brew, Scruffs goodies, information on men’s mental health and the chance to chat as part of the Bacon Buttie Tour round Somerset.
The ‘Bacon Buttie Team’ will next be at Bradford’s in Taunton base on Tuesday 15 February.
The team will be looking at other ways to keep working together to spread the word in the future.
Research shows that men are much less likely than women to access mental health support until they’re in crisis, which explains why 75% of suicides are carried out by men.
According to a new report by charity Mates in Mind, if you work in construction, particularly if you’re self-employed, then people are three times more likely to take their own life than the national average.
Matt, who runs a roofing company, is proud to be part of Stepladder’s mission to connect with more men in the county. He said:
“I’ve had health anxiety since I was a teenager and spent thousands of pounds on private appointments and check-ups. It all got worse when I went self-employed and the pressure of running my business and providing for my family got too much.
It was only by making lifestyle changes and being pointed in the right direction towards a group of people who meet weekly that were going through similar anxieties that I’ve began to feel better. They helped me feel less like a weirdo, although I still have ups and downs.
There are loads of other blokes working in the trades that have mental health problems, which is why Stepladder’s awareness-raising work and showing people where to get support is so important.”
Research shows that men are much less likely than women to access mental health support until they’re in crisis, and this has led to 75% of suicides being male. If you work in construction, particularly if you’re self-employed, then people are three times more likely to take their own life than the national average, according to a 2022 Mates in Mind report.
Becky Long, Scruffs Workwear’s Assistant Brand Manager, said:
“Talking about mental health is really important, especially with depression so common among tradespeople. We hope our collaboration with Stepladder will help tradespeople to look out for each other, to talk about mental health and look out for signs that fellow tradespeople may be struggling. And, what better way of doing that than over a brew and breakfast!”
Andy Warren, Second Step’s Deputy Chief Executive, said:
“‘One in four men experience mental health problems during their life and men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide. There’s a lot of stress and pressure for men that work in construction, and isolation too. That’s why Stepladder’s work to raise awareness of the support that’s available to men is absolutely vital.”
Working as part of Open Mental Health, Stepladder links with the many groups, clubs and projects that offer places for men to go for support and connection across Somerset. Please remember, Stepladder does not offer a direct support service, but helps men find the best place to go for help.
You can find out more at www.second-step.co.uk/stepladder, on Twitter and Instagram @wearesecondstep or email stepladdersomerset@second-step.co.uk.
We also have launched the Stepladder Innovation Fund, a pot of grant money made available to improve the mental wellbeing of men across Somerset as a part of the Open Mental Health Alliance. Grants of between £300-1,000 are available.
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Notes to Editors
- To find out more or to arrange an interview with someone from Stepladder Somerset, please contact Communications Manager Jane Edmonds on 07841 777401 or email jane.edmonds@second-step.co.uk
- Stepladder is run by mental health charity Second Step, which is part of Open Mental Health, an alliance of local voluntary organisations, the NHS & social care supporting adults in Somerset with their mental health around the clock.
- Second Step is a mental health charity providing support, housing and hope to people in Bristol and across the South-West. We run a wide range of services from suicide prevention to supporting patients back into the community after a spell in hospital. Our particular expertise is in working with people experiencing multiple disadvantage whom the system fails or finds difficult to support. We work with thousands of clients every year.
- Scruffs Workwear offers a head-to-toe range of performance workwear and safety footwear that combines comfort, durability and value for money with great design. All Scruffs products are tried and tested by real tradespeople to ensure all products meet the standards that men and women in trades need day in, day out.