Jake Caulfield, once a professional rugby player for Bath, is now tackling mental health issues within the construction industry. Caulfield, who co-runs Evolution Developments South West with his brother Josh, has bravely shared his personal battles with depression and anxiety, leaving many surprised by his candidness. His openness is part of a larger mission to shift industry norms and prioritize mental health within his field.
Caulfield's revelation of his mental health struggles has been met with shock, especially considering the alarming statistics within the construction industry. Workers in this sector are three times more likely to die by suicide compared to the national average. Acknowledging this grim reality, Caulfield has made it his mission to foster a work environment that puts employees first.
"We create a culture within our company to basically put our employees first," Jake Caulfield emphasized.
In 2021, Caulfield faced his own battles when he attempted to take his life on three separate occasions. His survival has fueled a determination to make meaningful changes within his business and beyond. To this end, he has partnered with men's mental health charity Talk Club, which offers drop-in chats and guidance for his company's staff.
"We're trying to make a real change here for construction workers in our industry," stated Caulfield.
Through this collaboration, Caulfield aims to provide essential support systems for those in the construction industry, challenging the longstanding neglect of mental health issues. His company, Evolution Developments South West, seeks to redefine industry norms by integrating mental health awareness into its core values.
"It's not right and it needs to be challenged," Caulfield remarked regarding the industry's traditional stance on mental health.
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