蜜芽传媒

As part of the 蜜芽传媒鈥檚 Mental Wellbeing season, Radio 5 Live has been focusing on the construction industry and the mental wellbeing of those working in it.

Tracy鈥檚 son Eoin took his own life in 2018 while working as a mechanical construction manager.

Tracy says she cannot be sure how much his work contributed to his suicide and says the company, Dornan, were a 鈥渞eally good company鈥� and he was 鈥渞eally close to his colleagues鈥�. Since Eoin鈥檚 death they have raised even more awareness and have trained staff up on mental health first aid.

Workers in construction are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average, according to ONS data.

Tracy feels grief around suicide is more complicated because 鈥渢here鈥檚 no one to blame鈥� and 鈥渘o illness you can see鈥�.

鈥淵ou go through the real shock of 鈥榤y son chose to take his own life鈥�,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t actually hurts to breathe the pain is so bad.鈥�

However, Tracy says there are some positives she has taken out of the situation, explaining as a family they 鈥渟peak more openly鈥� and are more aware that 鈥渟ome people do suffer in silence.鈥�

If you've been affected by issues similar to this, there's a range of organisations and websites that can offer you advice and support. You can find them on the 蜜芽传媒's Actionline website at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

You can also go to bbc.co.uk/mentalwellbeing for more stories, information, inspiration and tips around mental wellbeing.

This clip is from 5 Live Breakfast on 15 May 2024. Listen on 蜜芽传媒 Sounds.

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