Welcome to Episode 102 of I'm The Gaffer

Gavin Coyle is joined by Darren Barden, Founder and CEO of iTalk MH Ltd, for a powerful and sensitive conversation on suicide prevention in construction and how businesses can build psychologically safe workplaces.

If you’re a construction leader asking, “How do we spot the signs?” or “What can we actually do beyond awareness?” then this episode is a practical starting point.

We cover:

– Why Darren believes most suicides are preventable (and what that really means)

– The concept of a psychologically safe site, like the cultural shift we saw in health and safety.

– The real business impact: one suicide can cost ~£1M on a large site (shutdowns, absence, disruption)

– Why awareness isn’t enough: “now it’s time for action”

– Why one-off talks don’t work (and what sustained culture change looks like)

– iTalk’s approach: working top-down + ground-up with leadership and teams

– Tools like the Help Hub (Samaritans access, Shout text support, and vetted services)

– Darren’s personal story: trauma, PTSD, depression, and how he found support.

– The risks of mental health first aid without proper support for the first aiders themselves

– The “small win” that can save lives: check in on your mates

– Signs to watch: isolation, attendance patterns, mood changes, withdrawal from the group

– Why this affects everyone in construction, from site teams to executives.

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Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro + Hustro sponsor

01:18 Guest intro: Darren Barden (Founder & CEO, iTalk MH Ltd)

01:50 Sensitive topic notice + Samaritans support reminder

03:38 Can suicide be prevented in construction? Darren’s answer

05:10 Prevention over cure + “psychologically safe workplace”

08:31 The business risk: financial impact + mental health absenteeism

09:47 UK stats + why construction figures are a “grey area”

13:20 Why one-off awareness doesn’t work (sustained action matters)

15:45 iTalk’s Help Hub + Shout text support + vetted specialist partners

18:30 Darren’s personal story begins (trauma → PTSD → depression)

26:20 Medication stigma + why early support matters

28:05 Recognizing signs early + therapy support

29:00 Mental Health First Aid: benefits + risks for the first aiders

33:00 Spotting early signs in teams + “well-being grid” idea

35:05 Workplace suicide prevention standards + learning without blame

40:40 Key signals employers can watch for

42:05 How to ask the hard question (suicidal thoughts) + why it saves lives

48:45 One action to start this next week: “Check in on your mates”

49:47 Knowing what you know now—what would you do differently?

50:40 Book recommendation + Darren mentions writing his own book

52:00 How to contact Darren + iTalk MH

UK SUPPORT (SAMARITANS)

If you’re struggling or feeling suicidal, Samaritans are available 24/7.

📞 Call free: 116 123

🌐 More ways to get help: https://www.samaritans.org/

CONNECT WITH DARREN

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-barden-a6673156/

Company Website → iTalk MH Ltd https://italkmh.com/

I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people—bringing insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint success in the building industry.

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#ImTheGaffer #Construction #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #PsychologicalSafety #ConstructionLeadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #ConstructionPodcast