Trades work, from plumbing and electrical to bricklaying and carpentry, has always demanded grit, resilience and physical strength. Yet the mental health burden carried by so many in the industry is rarely talked about. In 2025, new data from the latest report from Iron Mongery Direct reveals that poor mental health is deeply connected to the daily realities of life in the trades and it’s still shrouded in stigma.
A mental health crisis by the numbers
The latest research shows an astonishing 91% of UK tradesmen have experienced work related stress in the last year. More than half (56%) reported feeling stressed at least once a week, and a concerning 14% feel stressed every day. These figures represent a significant increase from the previous years.
This isn’t the occasional worry, it’s a daily reality for too many. Stress isn’t just an emotional state, it affects sleep, concentration, safety on site, relationships at home and our overall wellbeing. For many tradespeople, the work they take pride in becomes a relentless pressure cooker.
What’s driving stress in the trades?
Tradespeople face a unique set of stressors that aren’t always present in other industries. The top causes of stress include
- Long or unpredictable hours (44%). Projects run late, clients delay payments, deadlines loom
- Poor life balance (34%). Time with family, rest and recovery get squeezed out
- Physical demands of the job (30%). Bodies wear down over years of heavy lifting and repetitive strain
- Financial pressures (28%). Seasons of feast or famine hurt stability
- Client expectations (21%). Tradesmen often bear the weight of demands that feel unreasonable
These aren’t abstract issues, they speak directly to the lived experience of most men in the trades. Many respondents also spoke of isolation, especially self‑employed workers spending long days in vans or alone on site.
The stigma isn’t going away
One of the most heart breaking findings is that 56% of tradesmen don’t talk to anyone about their mental health, not friends, family, colleagues or professionals. Even among those closest to them, many feel unable to open up.
Almost half (48%) say they worry about how others will perceive them if they do open up, and over a fifth (22%) aren’t sure how to access mental health support services.
This isn’t just reluctance, it’s also fear. Fear of judgment. Fear of losing work. Fear of being seen as weak. This stigma, especially among men, remains a towering barrier to wellbeing, exactly what I emphasised in on for my older blog on the trades’ “macho culture”.
The data shows that even when relationships at work are strong, they don’t necessarily translate into emotional safety. A majority still don’t feel comfortable sharing their struggles with colleagues, despite spending much of their day together.
Barriers to speaking up about poor mental health
So why don’t tradespeople talk about what they’re going through? The survey pinpoints several common barriers:
- Fear of losing work (37%). Admitting you’re struggling feels risky
- Fear of judgment (34%). “Tough guys don’t admit pain”
- Thinking it won’t help (24%). Past experiences of poor support or misinformation
- Not knowing who to talk to (20%). Confusion about where help can be found
These barriers aren’t personal failings. They are symptoms of a culture that hasn’t yet normalised conversation about mental health amongst men, nor equipped workplaces with clear pathways to support.
What would help?
Tradespeople themselves are clear about what could make a difference. Among the factors they said would make them more comfortable speaking up are:
- Mental health training for employers and teams (38%). Education reduces fear and promotes understanding
- Assurances of confidentiality (33%). Privacy matters when you’re opening up
- Flexible work options (29%). Control over schedules can ease pressure
- Supportive workplace culture (24%). A culture that says “it’s okay to talk” matters
Yet more than half (56%) are not currently seeking help from a counsellor or psychotherapist, and many don’t know how to access support services.
This gap between need and access is where counsellors, workplaces and the wider community can make a real impact.
What does this mean for men’s mental health
Too many in the trades still believe they must struggle alone. This reflects on wider patterns we see in men’s mental health generally where social expectations push vulnerability at the margins.
The trades are still predominantly male, and that “keep calm and crack on” mentality can easily slip into don’t tell anyone when you’re hurting. Breaking that pattern starts with acknowledgement and then by taking action.
Practical next steps
So where do we go from here? Based on both the 2025 report and ongoing work in the sector, here are some practical ways to start shifting culture and building support:
Start conversations at work. Toolbox talks, mental health check‑ins, and team catch‑ups can normalise sharing
Train leaders and supervisors. Awareness and basic mental health training helps recognise signs early
Promote confidentiality. Make it clear that talking won’t jeopardise jobs or respect
Signpost help. Posters, leaflets, helplines and apps should be visible on sites and on vans
Invest in support roles. Mental health first aiders or wellbeing champions on site can be game changers
There are existing resources out there, from industry specific support to free helplines, and part of our role is to make these easier to find and access.
The latest data shows the problem hasn’t gone away, in many ways it has grown. But with awareness comes opportunity. Tradesmen are beginning to speak up, find each other, and demand better.
If what you have read resonates with you, know that you are not alone. We can change culture one conversation at a time and it starts with us acknowledging that mental health is a job site priority, not a weakness.
George Papachristodoulou