Breaking the Silence on Suicide in Construction - Steve Kerslake - EP29

Steve Kerslake is the founder of Construction Sport and one of the leading voices fighting to improve mental health across the construction industry. Before launching Construction Sport, Steve worked on the tools and experienced first-hand the pressures, the culture, and the hidden struggles happening every day on building sites. His own journey includes major personal challenges from a life-changing acid attack to serious health issues that pushed him to breaking point and it shaped his mission to support those who feel they have nowhere to turn. In this episode, Steve opens up about the realities behind the UK’s construction suicide crisis why it’s happening, what’s being missed, and the cultural issues that continue to put workers at risk. He also shares why he launched Construction Sport and how the organisation is now helping vulnerable people across the industry. We explore: Why suicide rates in construction remain the highest of any UK sector The pressures, behaviours, and cultural norms that often go unnoticed Steve’s own journey through trauma and how it shaped his purpose Why the industry’s current systems aren’t enough to protect workers What construction companies can do to create safer, stronger environments How Construction Sport is providing support where traditional routes fail This is one of the most honest and emotional conversations ever recorded on the podcast and an important one for anyone working in construction, managing teams, or trying to create positive change in the industry.