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Suicide Prevention in Construction: Building Psychologically Safe Workplaces

Welcome to Episode 102 of I'm The Gaffer Gavin Coyle is joined by Darren Barden, Founder and CEO of iTalk MH Ltd, for a powerful and sensitive conversation on suicide prevention in construction and how businesses can build psychologically safe workplaces. If you’re a construction leader asking, “How do we spot the signs?” or “What can we actually do beyond awareness?” then this episode is a practical starting point. We cover: – Why Darren believes most suicides are preventable (and what that really means) – The concept of a psychologically safe site, like the cultural shift we saw in health and safety. – The real business impact: one suicide can cost ~£1M on a large site (shutdowns, absence, disruption) – Why awareness isn’t enough: “now it’s time for action” – Why one-off talks don’t work (and what sustained culture change looks like) – iTalk’s approach: working top-down + ground-up with leadership and teams – Tools like the Help Hub (Samaritans access, Shout text support, and vetted services) – Darren’s personal story: trauma, PTSD, depression, and how he found support. – The risks of mental health first aid without proper support for the first aiders themselves – The “small win” that can save lives: check in on your mates – Signs to watch: isolation, attendance patterns, mood changes, withdrawal from the group – Why this affects everyone in construction, from site teams to executives. Sponsored by Hustro.com – the simplest construction management software. Hustro.com – 75% less time on inspections & reports Start and claim 2 months free using “GAVIN” code → https://hustro.com/gavin Episode Highlights: 00:00 Intro + Hustro sponsor 01:18 Guest intro: Darren Barden (Founder & CEO, iTalk MH Ltd) 01:50 Sensitive topic notice + Samaritans support reminder 03:38 Can suicide be prevented in construction? Darren’s answer 05:10 Prevention over cure + “psychologically safe workplace” 08:31 The business risk: financial impact + mental health absenteeism 09:47 UK stats + why construction figures are a “grey area” 13:20 Why one-off awareness doesn’t work (sustained action matters) 15:45 iTalk’s Help Hub + Shout text support + vetted specialist partners 18:30 Darren’s personal story begins (trauma → PTSD → depression) 26:20 Medication stigma + why early support matters 28:05 Recognizing signs early + therapy support 29:00 Mental Health First Aid: benefits + risks for the first aiders 33:00 Spotting early signs in teams + “well-being grid” idea 35:05 Workplace suicide prevention standards + learning without blame 40:40 Key signals employers can watch for 42:05 How to ask the hard question (suicidal thoughts) + why it saves lives 48:45 One action to start this next week: “Check in on your mates” 49:47 Knowing what you know now—what would you do differently? 50:40 Book recommendation + Darren mentions writing his own book 52:00 How to contact Darren + iTalk MH UK SUPPORT (SAMARITANS) If you’re struggling or feeling suicidal, Samaritans are available 24/7. 📞 Call free: 116 123 🌐 More ways to get help: https://www.samaritans.org/ CONNECT WITH DARREN LinkedIn →   / darren-barden-a6673156   Company Website → iTalk MH Ltd https://italkmh.com/ I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people—bringing insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint success in the building industry. I'm The Gaffer, available on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify: https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube: / @imthegafferpodcast Website: https://www.imthegaffer.com/ #ImTheGaffer #Construction #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #PsychologicalSafety #ConstructionLeadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #ConstructionPodcast