CONSTRUCTION firms in Glasgow are asking for help to tackle suicide and mental health problems in the workforce.

A national suicide prevention initiative said it was receiving more requests to deliver workshops for staff.

According to research more than half of employees in the construction industry has experienced mental health problems.

Men are three times more likely to complete suicide than women and the figure is even higher for manual workers.

Last year, 91 people in Glasgow took their own life.

A national drive has got underway this week, by Choose Life, to help family, friends and colleagues spot if someone is at risk of suicide.

Activities in Glasgow will also include information stalls in Buchanan Galleries and Central Station and a Celebration of Life service for families affected by suicide on Friday, in the Tranquillity Garden at Gartnavel Hospital.

Derek Shewan, chief operating officer from the Robertson Group, said: “We feel it is extremely important to support Suicide Prevention Week in Glasgow, and have organised suicide awareness briefings from Choose Life for our construction workers at four of our sites across the city.

“Initiatives such as this are invaluable in starting conversations about mental health – an issue which has gained prominence in the construction sector in recent years.

"Major surveys show that over half of the industry workforce have experienced mental health problems at some point. These are alarming figures, but the reality is that this problem has always existed and only now are we realising the true scale.

Pauline Toner, Choose Life Co-ordinator in Glasgow City said: "We have been approached by two large construction companies working in the city and will be delivering briefings to construction workers in their canteens."

"We know that men are three times more likely to complete suicide than women and that this is even higher for manual workers.”

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this articles go to www.chooselife.net/ask