A plastering supervisor has set out to raise funds for men’s mental health after sadly losing a friend and colleague to suicide earlier this year.
Brian Connelly, a plastering supervisor at Blackpool-based Evolution, will raise funds for the Movember Foundation – best known for its trend of having participants grow moustaches throughout November.
He will aim to walk 60km in November to mark the fact that, on average, more than 60 men die of suicide each week in the UK – with suicide being the leading cause of death for men under 50.
Brian said, “I was on holiday abroad when I got a call to say it had happened. I was devastated. I’d worked with him for 40 hours a week for the last two years. His death affected everybody at Evolution. He was the most happy-go-lucky person. He was funny, friendly and confident, so it came as a shock to us all. I had no inkling he was going to do something like that.
“You’d be surprised how many men in construction suffer with mental health problems, and they don’t say anything because you’re supposed to be a tough-guy builder. It’s not the case. If you’re struggling, just say. You can get help.
“There’s a mental health app that we all have access to (at Evolution). The bosses are very open about mental health. I’m a supervisor and my phone’s always on if anyone wants to talk. Unfortunately, he didn’t feel he could call me, maybe because I was abroad. I would have tried to get him some help. I would have told him he was loved, because he was.”
Last year Evolution supported research by a Lancaster University postgraduate student into how to prevent suicides in the construction industry, which has one of the highest suicide rates of any sector.
The company also supported the UK Baton of Hope launch in Blackpool in September last year. The Baton of Hope raises awareness and shows support for suicide survivors and their families.
Evolution MD, JJ Fitzgerald, commented, “The loss of our colleague hit us all hard. At Evolution we pride ourselves on being one big family. We want people to feel safe to talk about their problems. I would urge anyone who’s struggling, whoever and wherever they are, to please seek help. What Brian has pledged to do is a fitting and moving tribute to our friend and colleague and as well as raising awareness it will hopefully raise much-needed funds to support mental health services and provide vital support.”
To support Brian Connelly’s Movember fundraiser visit click here.
