“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.”

A construction worker who lost a close friend suddenly to suicide plans to honour his memory this Movember.

Brian Connelly, 41, a plastering supervisor with Blackpool-based building company Evolution, was devastated when a friend and work colleague took his own life earlier this year.

Now Brian is using Movember – the men’s health campaign that takes place every November – to raise money and awareness for men’s mental health.

Brian said of his friend’s death: “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.”

Brian Connelly with his daughter Evlyn and wife Ellie. Brian, a plastering supervisor with Blackpool-based building company Evolution, was devastated when a friend and work colleague took his own life earlier this year. He is taking part in a 60km walking challenge as part of fundraising for Movember in support of men’s mental health. | Evolution

placeholder image — Brian Connelly with his daughter Evlyn and wife Ellie. Brian, a plastering supervisor with Blackpool-based building company Evolution, was devastated when a friend and work colleague took his own life earlier this year. He is taking part in a 60km walking challenge as part of fundraising for Movember in support of men’s mental health. | Evolution

Brian said Evolution is a supportive environment for mental health. “There’s a mental health app that we all have access to. 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.”

Brian is aiming to walk 60km in November, to mark the fact that on average more than 60 men a week die by suicide in the UK. More men under 50 in the UK die due to suicide than any other reason.

Brian hopes family and friends will walk with him, and that other men will have their own walks and take the opportunity to talk.

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.

JJ Fitzgerald, Evolution Managing Director, said: “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 here.

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