Fix Radio has highlighted how tradespeople can continue working every day while struggling with their mental health behind the scenes.
Former bricklayer and mental health advocate Rob Muldoon discussed the issue of presenteeism on The Bricklaying Show, telling presenter and bricklayer Ash Mahoney how his own problems developed while he continued turning up for work.
“I just got up, went to work, and kept going,” Rob said.
After 26 years in bricklaying, Rob said his difficulties followed years of combining full time construction work with additional jobs during evenings and weekends.
He became constantly tired, lost interest in things he enjoyed and withdrew from other people before eventually experiencing a breakdown while at work.
Rob said concerns about appearing unable to do the job can prevent people from seeking support.
“People don’t want to show that weakness and ask for help and support because they think, ‘If I ask for this, they’ll think I can’t do my job,’” he said.
His recovery began after speaking to his employer and accessing talking therapy through the Lighthouse Charity.
The discussion looked at how changes including persistent exhaustion, withdrawing from colleagues or becoming increasingly overwhelmed could provide signs that somebody is struggling, even when they continue arriving for work.
The programme forms part of Fix Radio’s wider work around mental health in the trades, which has also included its Grand Builders’ Tea Lay campaign encouraging workers to stop for a drink and check in with colleagues.
