A lifeline to help those facing a personal crisis in the construction industry launches today (1 February).
The ‘Text HARDHAT to 85258’ service complements an existing 24/7 helpline from the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, and it offers immediate support for those who would rather send a message than talk.
The help is round the clock and confidential. It includes assistance that addresses overwhelm, stress, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or a sense of struggling with everyday life. Getting support is as simple as texting 85258.
This quick and easy action puts people in touch with fully trained volunteers who are ready to listen and provide support on issues like anxious feelings, relationship problems, loneliness and isolation, abuse, addiction, depression, bullying and harassment, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts and feelings.
The text conversation will only finish when the volunteer has helped the person to reach a calm and safe place. The volunteers will also be able to provide a plan so that users can understand how to help themselves going forward and signpost to further resources or tools to provide more expert support.
Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, said, “Our new text HARDHAT to 85258 service comes at a time when many are still struggling on a daily basis with debt, anxiety and family issues. Some things are returning to normality, but there are still far-reaching consequences and underlying problems that remain as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. These pressures are in addition to the normal stresses and strains of working in an industry where two workers take their own life every single working day, and a fifth of all work-related illness is due to stress, anxiety or depression.
“Last year our charity supported 2,788 families, an increase of 23% on the previous year and we delivered £1,077,015 of charitable giving to our construction community. This support ranged from making sure there was a meal on the table for families and paying household bills, helping with debt and financial issues, and providing quick access to professional counselling sessions. We know that there are many people who feel embarrassed or unable to reach out for help by calling someone.
“Introducing our text HARDHAT to 85258 service is yet another route to access support before situations escalate out of control. We cannot stress enough that it really doesn’t matter how small or large you think your problem is, there is always support available, and we can provide that help through the channels that people feel most comfortable with. That could be by using our free Construction Industry Helpline App, calling our 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline and talking to someone, and now we have our text HARDHAT to 85258 service.”
If you need help or support now, or you know someone that does, you can call the charity’s 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline on UK 0345 605 1956, ROI 1800 939 122, visit www.lighthouseclub.org or text HARDHAT to 85258.
