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IN THIS ISSUE | ALTNAGELVIN FAST TRACK | TACKLING MENTAL HEALTH | THE VOICE DIGITAL COPY
Vol 31 No 3 - 2020
AltnagelvinHospital THREEWARDS INTHREEWEEKS NORTHWINGAT
MAINCONTRACTOR
www.farrans.com
AGENTS FOR ALTRO IN NORTHERN IRELAND
EXTENSIVE RANGE OF COMMERCIAL FLOORING, CARPETS, CARPET TILES, SAFETY FLOORING AND ENTRANCE MATTING
JNG AGENCIES Unit B1, 51 Sydenham Business Park, 17 Heron Road, Belfast BT3 9LE. T: 028 9045 6551
E: [email protected] www.jngagencies.com
EDITOR’S MESSAGE
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES MEN TO COME FORWARD... Let’s smash themental health stigma
I have mental health issues. I’ve suffered from depression for well over a decade, hard to pinpoint exactly when. What I can say with certainty is that the stigma attached to mental health is very real, because I helped perpetuate it. First, I looked at my depression as a weakness that should never become public knowledge. I also convinced myself that if my current employer, or any prospective employer was to find out, they would see me as a liability. I became withdrawn and even when my sour mood led to concerned enquiries from family members, I didn’t come clean. There was zero prospect of bringing up my battle with the blues in front of work colleagues or mates - anyway, all I really needed to do was give myself a good shake. I needed to man up. Sound familiar? Sadly, that’s because that stigma still holds sway today. Mental health awareness has dramatically improved, yet men (although not exclusively) still struggle to find their way out of the dark. [Read about the CEF member taking ‘action’ to improve
their mental health provision in ‘The Voice’ - Page 10] Despite the implementation of new mental health programmes, signage, literature, ezines and podcasts - suffering in silence is still the preferred option. A construction site can often be unforgiving, a place where banter has barbs and you’re expected to be strong, physically and mentally. It’s an environment that doesn’t exactly encourage soul-bearing. ‘A trade magazine’s not the place to talk about personal stuff’, was going to be my excuse, but in the end I had to write from experience. I have a duty to lend my voice to the people telling you there is another way. For me, step one was accepting I had a problem. Step two was asking for help. There’s no quick fix, but if you take the leap of faith it soon becomes clear that machismo and a stiff upper lip isn’t the way. Bottling it all up, putting on a front, battling through - generations of men have fallen for the lie that this somehow equates to courage. But how can hiding from a problem be considered brave? Confronting issues, seeking professional help - now that shows true mettle.
Sounds simple, but for me things started to improve when I stopped trying to beat depression, to overcome it in a battle of wills. Instead I try to manage my condition. It’s a subtle distinction, but one that frees you from feelings of inadequacy because you failed to defeat the demons. I still have depression, only I don’t regard it as a weakness anymore. I am prepared to talk about my mental health (or it would appear, write about it) and I’ve told my employer, who is nothing but supportive. Sure, I still have bad days, but now I have some coping mechanisms and a better understanding of what goes on between my ears. I know what you’re thinking…different strokes for different folks, and yes, there’s no guarantee what works for me will for you. There’s only one way to find out.
Roger Anderson EDITOR
www.northernbuilder.co.uk
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Inside this issue...
Issue 31-3 - 2020
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6, 8, 16, 38 Industry latest Lucrative contracts, calls for clarity and a new multi-million pound HQ 10 Tackling mental health CTS and Action Mental Health join forces to raise awareness 14 Presidential selection CEF appoint their new President and Vice- President
20 Fast forward Farrans beat the clock to deliver vital Altnagelvin Hospital project 34 Big ‘Mac’ MacBlair (Coleraine) responds to increased customer demand 38 Take control of your business simPro assist the building services industry to centralise their >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54
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