Mental health support in the UK highways sector is receiving fresh focus. Almost two thirds of the workforce in highways roles are men, while men account for three in four suicides in England. The Highways Mind Health Association (HMHA), a new nonprofit community interest company, aims to change how the sector handles mental health and psychological safety.
Highways service provider Multevo is among HMHA's first founding partners. The company, which has grown its workforce by over 1300% since 2020 to more than 500 employees across the UK, sees the partnership as a practical step to boost mental wellbeing across the industry.
Mental health challenges on UK roads
The highways sector faces unique pressures. Long hours, physical risks and a predominantly male workforce contribute to mental health challenges. These factors make it important to create environments where workers can talk openly about mental health, access support, and receive consistent care.
How Multevo supports wellbeing
Multevo has already taken steps to embed mental health priorities within its business. The company employs mental health first aiders, provides free counselling services, and has developed an in-house wellbeing app for staff. Despite these measures, the firm recognises that more collective action is needed across the sector.
Collective action through HMHA
HMHA seeks to unite highways employers, contractors and other industry stakeholders. Its goal is to share learning, raise mental health standards, and foster a consistent approach tailored to the sector's demands. By joining at the foundation stage, Multevo can help shape the association’s direction and contribute practical insights.
What this means for the sector
The partnership signals a wider industry shift. Supporting mental health is no longer an optional add-on; it affects workforce resilience and organisational performance. It also aims to attract young people into the sector by demonstrating that wellbeing is a priority.
Aimee Dewse, Head of Marketing at Multevo, said: “We want to create an environment where people feel valued, listened to and comfortable talking about how they’re doing. HMHA gives us the opportunity to learn from others and contribute to ongoing development.”
Sam Munslow, HMHA’s founder, added: “The highways sector cannot treat pressure and burnout as part of the job. Mental health is a leadership and resilience issue that impacts performance. Multevo’s commitment shows the benefits of putting people first.”
This initiative forms part of Multevo’s broader social value commitments to local communities, skills development, and workforce welfare. More information about Multevo is available at multevo.co.uk.
