The signs that a colleague is struggling with stress are not always obvious, but they are often there if we know what to look for.
During Stress Awareness Week 2026, NICEIC is encouraging those in the trade to take notice of the small changes that can signal someone may be under pressure and to start a conversation if something doesn’t seem right.
Mental Health Needs to be Discussed more Openly in the Sector
The message comes as NICEIC’s Tools to Talk campaign marks its first anniversary, with research showing that 62% of tradespeople believe mental health is still not discussed enough within the electrical industry.
For many working in the electrotechnical sector, pressure can come from all directions. Running a business, meeting deadlines, customer expectations, travelling between jobs, working alone, and carrying out safety-critical work can all take their toll over time. When stress begins to build, it can affect concentration, confidence, decision making and overall wellbeing.
While many people can recognise when a colleague seems different from their usual self, they are often unsure what to say or worry about saying the wrong thing. NICEIC’s message this Stress Awareness Week is simple: you do not need to be a mental health expert to check in on someone.
Changes such as becoming quieter than usual, appearing distracted, missing deadlines, seeming unusually irritable, or simply behaving out of character can all be signs that someone may be struggling. Taking the time to ask a colleague how they are doing could be the first step towards getting them the support they need.
Questions such as “You don’t seem yourself lately, is everything OK?”, “How are you really doing?” or “Do you want to talk about what’s going on?” can create an opportunity for someone to open up without placing pressure on them to do so.
What should you do if something doesn’t seem right?
- Notice the difference – if someone seems quieter, more distracted or out of character, trust your instincts and acknowledge it.
- Start the conversation – a simple check-in can open the door and show someone they are not alone.
- Listen without judgement – you do not need all the answers. Giving someone space to talk can be more valuable than trying to solve the problem immediately.
- Help them find support – if someone needs more help, encourage them to contact a GP, mental health professional or appropriate support organisation.
Danny Mouskovias, Learning and Wellbeing Manager at NICEIC, commented:
“One of the biggest challenges with stress is that it can creep up on us. We get used to feeling under pressure and convince ourselves we’re coping, when in reality it’s already starting to affect our wellbeing, our relationships and how we show up at work.
“The signs aren’t always obvious. For some people it might be becoming withdrawn, struggling to concentrate, or losing confidence. For others it could be irritability, tiredness or simply not seeming like themselves. We don’t need to be experts to recognise that something isn’t quite right, we just need to pay attention.”
Since launching in 2025, Tools to Talk has provided practical resources designed to help tradespeople start conversations about mental health, support colleagues, and access further help when needed.
For more information and to access NICEIC’s Tools to Talk resources, visit niceic.com/the-tools-to-talk
