The campaign aims to encourage better conversations around mental health among workers in the construction industry
Roland DG is proud to support St John Ambulance – the UK’s leading first aid charity – as it launches the ‘Hi Vis Stress Vest’ campaign. St John Ambulance has launched the Hi Vis Stress Vest to encourage a more open conversation about mental health at work. Using its TY-300 Direct-to-Film (DTF) printer, Roland DG has produced the campaign’s distinctive Hi Vis Stress Vest for celebrities, influencers, and businesses to wear and promote the cause.
St John Ambulance has launched the initiative to get construction workers to open up about their mental health and to encourage training in mental health first aid at work. Nearly a third of construction workers surveyed describe their current state as “struggling”, “overwhelmed” or “suicidal”, while 82% say they’ve suffered with a mental health challenge at some point in their career in the trade. Talking about mental health can feel difficult, but having trained mental health first aiders makes these vital conversations much easier. In fact, 54%, of builders said they would be more likely to share their problems if they had a trained mental health first aider on site.*
The limited edition Hi Vis Stress Vests have been shared with construction companies and celebrities including TV builder Tommy Walsh. The back of each high-visibility jacket features a statement, such as “My debt keeps me awake at night”, to express some of the invisible mental distress that many builders don’t feel able to talk about. By making these struggles visible, the campaign encourages open discussions about mental wellbeing.
“At Roland DG, we believe in the power of print to do more than just create visually striking designs – it can also help spark important conversations. The Hi Vis Stress Vest campaign is a great example of how innovative printing solutions can play a small but impactful role in supporting social change initiatives,” said Stephen Davis, EMEA Marketing Director at Roland DG.
Roland DG use its TY-300 Direct-to-Film (DTF) printer to create the designs featuring a jagged pattern, representing stress. The TY-300’s DTF process – printing on film, applying hot-melt powder, and heat-pressing – accommodates the intricate campaign designs and works well on a variety of materials, including light fabrics like hi-vis vests. To guarantee the best possible adhesion and longevity, Roland DG incorporated its dedicated DTF shaker oven into the production process, which cures the prints for greater durability without compromising fabric flexibility. Additionally, the OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified inks used in the TY-300 guarantee that the prints are environmentally safe and skin-friendly, making them suitable for prolonged wear in demanding work environments, like construction sites.
Lisa Sharman, National Head of Education and Commercial Training at St John Ambulance, says, “We know that opening up about a mental health problem with someone who’s ready to listen is the first step towards getting vital help. Our research shows that those working in the construction sector find it particularly difficult to share what they’re going through. We’re confident that our Hi Vis Stress Vests will help get the conversation started.”
*The research was conducted on behalf of St John Ambulance by Censuswide, among a sample of 500 UK construction workers, aged 16+. The data was collected between 14.02.2025 – 19.02.2025.
Eye on… Mental Health and Well-being in the print and sign-making industry