Ark Fire Protection and Bowmer + Kirkland launch construction mental health initiative
Iain Hoey
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Campaign launched on world suicide prevention day
Ark Fire Protection has reported a collaboration with Bowmer + Kirkland to address mental health in the construction sector.
The company said the initiative was launched to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day.
Ark Fire Protection explained that workers on its sites have been given high-visibility jackets carrying messages such as “Struggling doesn’t make you weak”.
It added that the campaign aims to encourage open conversations around mental health and to remind staff that workers face personal challenges beyond their professional roles.
Ark Fire Protection noted that men in construction are three times more likely to die by suicide compared with the national average.
Industry context and scale of the issue
According to Ark Fire Protection, the initiative comes at a time when suicide and mental health problems are widely recognised as key risks in the construction industry.
The company reported that silence and stigma have contributed to under-reporting of problems among workers.
It stated that the collaboration with Bowmer + Kirkland aims to address this by normalising conversations about wellbeing across construction sites.
Ark Fire Protection added that the visibility of the jackets is intended as a constant reminder of the importance of workplace safety including mental health.
It confirmed that the approach treats mental health as a site safety matter equal in importance to physical hazards.
Statement from Ark Fire Protection
Howard Hudson, Managing Director at Ark Fire Protection, said: “This campaign is about reminding people that awareness shouldn’t just be for one day a year, it should be every day.
“By making our sites more open to openness, by asking our mates ‘How are you? … Really?’, and by recognising that mental health is a site safety issue too, we can help create a safer, healthier industry.”
Role of Lighthouse Charity
Ark Fire Protection reported that the campaign also supports the Lighthouse Charity.
The company stated that the organisation provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support for construction workers and their families.
It added that the partnership is intended to connect workers with existing resources already available in the sector.
Ark Fire Protection confirmed that the collaboration seeks to link on-site awareness with external professional support where required.
Future initiatives planned for 2025
Ark Fire Protection said this campaign is the first step in its wider partnership with Bowmer + Kirkland.
The company explained that a further initiative is scheduled for winter 2025.
It reported that more details will be announced in the coming months.
Ark Fire Protection added that the ongoing collaboration is expected to expand the scope of support for workers in the industry.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
Mental health is a workplace safety issue relevant to all sectors, including fire and safety.
The collaboration between Ark Fire Protection and Bowmer + Kirkland shows how construction companies are linking wellbeing with site safety practices.
For fire and safety professionals, the initiative demonstrates that managing psychological risks can be approached in the same structured way as managing physical risks.
It also shows how visible campaigns can encourage open discussions and connect workers with established support systems.
Ark Fire Protection and Bowmer + Kirkland launch construction mental health initiative: Summary
Ark Fire Protection has reported a collaboration with Bowmer + Kirkland on mental health in construction.
The initiative launched on World Suicide Prevention Day.
High-visibility jackets with wellbeing messages have been distributed across construction sites.
Ark Fire Protection stated that men in construction are three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average.
The campaign is designed to reduce stigma and promote open conversations about mental health.
Howard Hudson, Managing Director at Ark Fire Protection, said awareness should continue throughout the year.
The Lighthouse Charity is supported through the campaign.
Ark Fire Protection said this marks the first step in a larger collaboration with Bowmer + Kirkland.
A wider initiative is planned for winter 2025.
More details will be released in the coming months.