TOUGH TALK - DEAN PINNER OPENS UP ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

Could you recognise if your colleague needed help? Here at Keyline Civils Specialist we’re encouraging people to speak up and talk about their mental health struggles. As a safety leader we recognise that our own and each other's mental health is just as important as physical safety. Here our Managing Director, Dean Pinner talks openly about his own mental health journey.

WHAT SUPPORT HAVE YOU HAD?

My experiences have shown me that it's really important to get help when you need it and I’ve used a number of different support services and therapies, including psychotherapy and  hypnotherapy. Mental health difficulties can and do have a big effect on your life, I didn't fly for about eight or nine years because of a control measure that I couldn't get over. I found roots through this that have helped me, and certainly hypnotherapy helped me a lot. I continue to use that on a regular monthly basis now - it's my time, so it's really important for me.
 
DO YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE ASK FOR HELP WHEN THEY NEED IT?

I think that generally we're not very good at talking about it and certainly, as the results of our #TOUGHTALK research has shown, the construction industry hasn't been very good at talking about it. I think we're making some really great steps forward, and I think that the work that we've done within the TP group has bridged some of that gap - but it’s down to us as people to talk, to be open, be reflective and challenge ourselves in that space.
 
WHAT CHANGE DO YOU WISH TO SEE?

For me I want us all to be able to have the opportunity to talk about it, and not be ashamed or embarrassed about it. And from the male perspective, not to put that macho bit around it. We all suffer with our mental health in different ways, sometimes it's work related, sometimes it can be personal - but we need to be open and talk about it and as senior leaders I think this is very important. I think that we need to really embrace it and talk about it and talk about it more.

Keyline has teamed with the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity to help raise awareness and get people talking about their mental health and wellbeing in their #TOUGHTALK campaign. We want to encourage anyone struggling with their mental health to take advantage of the dedicated support available for construction workers and call 0345 605 1956 or visit: www.constructionindustryhelpline.com for help.

We’re in this together and we need to look out for each other. While it can be tough to talk, it’s OK to ask!