More than 80% of construction workers have experienced symptoms of poor mental health in the last year. To help colleagues find the right support, M&J are dedicating their 1000th machine in its fleet, a 21 tonne Kobelco, to the mental health charity, Mind.

This comes as stress, anxiety and depression levels remain high in the construction industry. A Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) report* into mental health showed that 28% of construction workers had experienced suicidal thoughts at least once in the past year.

Male construction workers are also three times more likely to die by suicide compared to those in other industries*. Part of this is due to colleagues feeling unable to reach out for support, with many suffering in silence.

To help break this cycle, specialist groundworks and civil engineering company M&J, have teamed up with their heavy equipment supplier Molson Equipment, GPS machine control supplier Leica Geosystems and attachment manufacturer Strickland MFG.

Together, they are working to raise awareness and money for mental health support by dedicating the 1000th machine in M&J’s fleet to the charity Mind. The Kobelco SK210LC-11E excavator has been wrapped in a special way to raise awareness of the charity, and the support Mind offer.

This 21-tonne class excavator has been delivered by Molson Equipment as part of the construction company’s ongoing fleet investment strategy. Choosing the Kobelco brand for its fuel efficiency, productivity and build quality, this latest order brings the total this year to 111 units purchased as part of the investment.

With all 21-tonne class machines equipped with a Leica Geosystems GPS machine control and Strickland MFG buckets, the landmark 100th unit also marks a united front against poor mental health in the construction industry. All the equipment partners will be making donations to Mind ensuring the right support can be delivered to anyone who may be struggling with their mental health.

Chris Southgate, CEO for M&J said, “It’s a sad truth that many people in the industry have lost a close colleague or friend to suicide. As well as marking a significant landmark for our business, we hope this machine will be one step closer to breaking the stigma around mental health and help individuals find the support they need.”

Jason Powles, Group COO for Molson Group, added, “We’re always looking to make a positive impact on the communities that our wider business and clients operate in. We are delighted to support M&J in this project to raise awareness of the great work Mind does and support people who see the excavator in operation.”