Enablers and barriers to mental health initiatives in construction SMEs

BackgroundMental ill-health is prevalent in the construction industry, and workers in small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are at high risk. Knowledge about the implementation of mental health initiatives in construction SMEs is limited.AimsTo explore enablers and barriers to implementing mental health initiatives within UK SME construction firms from the perspective of the business owners, directors and managers with responsibilities for workplace mental health.MethodsQualitative study involving semi-structured interviews conducted with company owners/managers with responsibilities for workforce mental health. Participants were sampled from construction SMEs in the UK.ResultsEleven construction professionals were interviewed (10 men, 1 woman; aged 34–55 years, M = 40.6) representing UK SME construction firms that were micro (<10 employees, n = 8), small (<50 employees, n = 1) and medium (