The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and Pieta House have launched the 'Mind Our Workers' campaign, aimed at raising awareness of suicide and mental health throughout the construction industry.

An estimated 1,039 men from a construction or production background died by suicide between 2008 and 2012.

The campaign aims to encourage more communication about suicide and mental health on construction sites and amongst construction workers around the country.

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A report which examines the level of suicide in the construction sector has been published as part of the campaign.

CIF President Michael Stone said: "We want to help drive awareness of suicide and mental health throughout the construction industry. A greater level of understanding and more open culture about these extremely important issues needs to exist. We want to see a working environment whereby is it acceptable for men to ask their friends and colleagues, 'Are you ok?'

"Men in any walk of life should be able to talk about their problems. We need to take these matters out of the shadows and bring them into the light. If even one life is saved thanks to the awareness and understanding promoted by this campaign then everyone in the CIF and Pieta House will consider the campaign to have been a great success."

(CD/JP)