A former construction project manager from Leeds has launched a new coaching business this June to support fellow construction professionals, amidst a mental health crisis in the industry.

With recent statistics revealing that the suicide rate for male construction workers is three times higher than the average male suicide rate for the UK, Chris Fawcett, originally from Tingley, Wakefield, has the building blocks in place to make a lasting difference.

After four years at University getting his Construction Management degree and seven years on sites, Chris, 29, retrained to become a Certified coach for his former profession.

His aim is to support workers across the construction industry with their mental health and to help them achieve success through his business Chris Fawcett Coaching.

Chris explained: “The statistics around mental health issues in construction are frightening, and I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be onsite. But there are ways to look after yourself and overcome challenges with a clear vision of your future and a positive attitude towards life.

“We all know a company’s success is built on the performance of its employees, so it’s vital they feel valued and inspired. Whether it’s a self-employed builder investing in himself or a manager supporting their team, through my coaching I can help bring out the best in people, helping them to grow and develop, become more productive and improve their emotional and mental well-being.

“There’s no better time than now to tackle the growing mental health challenges in construction, and I’m determined to help talented people in the industry become successful and more positive about their lives and their jobs.”

Chris Fawcett Coaching specialises in peak-performance coaching for the construction industry, using techniques including Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Timeline Technique Therapy. Chris offers one-to-one sessions for individuals and workshop days for businesses to support their staff.