Hi Vis Stress Vest campaign: A successful launch for mental health awareness

The limited edition Hi Vis Stress Vest is designed to break down barriers and start conversations among workers who often find it difficult to talk about their mental health struggles, featuring statements on the back that reveal what might really be going on, such as "My debt keeps me awake at night" and "I’m always in pain but hide it".

The campaign was inspired by new research revealing that nearly seven in ten construction workers have suspected a colleague was suffering from serious depression but found it too difficult to talk to them.

A highlight of the campaign so far has been a wellbeing session held by Rhianwen Condron, Wellbeing Manager at construction firm BAM, at one of their sites in Yorkshire. The session, attended by ten employees, utilised the Hi Vis Stress Vests to stimulate conversation. The vests prompted some very positive chats among the attendees, highlighting the effectiveness of the campaign in creating a supportive environment for discussing mental health.

Rhianwen emphasised the importance of the right environment in promoting mental wellbeing. "It all comes back to organisational culture. At BAM, we do a lot of wellbeing work in construction as we recognise its necessity. It is very important to create safe spaces where people feel that they can talk about their struggles, and be listened to and supported without any bias. The Hi Vis Stress Vest is an excellent resource for meetings of this sort," she said.

Lisa Sharman, Head of Education and Product Development at St John Ambulance, also praised the campaign's effectiveness. "I was thrilled to hear that the Hi Vis Stress Vest is already having an impact in breaking down barriers and starting conversations among groups of workers. I think what Rhianwen and her colleagues are achieving at BAM is wonderful and I hope other construction firms and employers in all other sectors will see the benefit of implementing focused mental health and wellbeing programmes for their teams. Opening up to someone who’s ready to listen is a vital first step," she stated.

The Hi Vis Stress Vest campaign is not only raising awareness but also encouraging employers to invest in mental health first aid training. While many employees will have learned essential lifesaving skills through the legal requirement to have a certain number of first aiders on-site at any one time, there will certainly be fewer who can recognise when colleagues are struggling with their mental wellbeing. By equipping workers with the skills to spot hidden signs and start difficult conversations, the campaign could ultimately save lives.

Rhianwen will now be using the Hi Vis Stress Vests at other BAM sites in the country, starting with her next session this week in Southampton. She said: “As I get round our various locations this year, I will definitely be using the vests and other aspects of my mental health training to start conversations. Combined, they are such a powerful resource.”

To find out more about the Hi Vis Stress Vest campaign, visit sja.org.uk/hivis.