Electrician to Advocate: Vishal Narbheram on Mental Health & Onward Shift

In this episode of The Hurt Locker Podcast, The podcast that opens a door into men's mental health. Real Men. Real Stories. Real Mental Health Conversations, host Yinka Yesufu sits down with Vishal Narbheram, founder of Onward Shift, for a powerful and honest conversation about mental health, identity and resilience. Vish shares his personal journey through mental health struggles while working in the construction industry an environment where conversations around emotional wellbeing are often overlooked. He opens up about the pressures, the internal battles and the turning points that led him to seek therapy, understand emotional regulation and ultimately create Onward Shift a platform designed to make mental health support more accessible within construction. The conversation also explores wider themes, including race and diversity within the industry, the impact of societal expectations and social media on younger generations and the importance of building safe, supportive communities where men can speak openly without judgement. This episode is not just a story it’s a reflection on what happens when men begin to talk and the change that can follow when they do.Key TopicsMental health challenges within the construction industryEmotional regulation and the role of therapyRace, diversity, and lived experience in constructionThe pressures facing young people todayBuilding support systems and safe spaces for menThe creation and mission of Onward ShiftTurning personal struggle into purposeChapters00:00 Introduction & Guest Credibility00:59 A Day in the Life: Routine & Structure02:50 Personal Background & Entry into Construction06:16 Race, Diversity & Industry Challenges10:51 Overcoming Racism & Building Resilience20:52 Recognising Mental Health Struggles30:28 Therapy & Emotional Regulation39:16 Talking to Youth & Breaking Stigma47:33 Mental Health in Construction52:18 Support Systems & Industry Change57:03 Onward Shift: Purpose & Platform01:00:45 Self-Care & Personal Responsibility01:04:36 Advice to Younger Self & Closing🎙️ Support & Stay Connected🎙️ If you like this episode, please like it and share it.🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates.Links to Onward Shift:Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/onwardshift/⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/onwardshift/⁠⁠⁠TikTok - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@onwardshift⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/onward-shift/⁠⁠⁠Website -  ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardshift.com⁠⁠⁠Vishal Narbheram - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-narbheram-56bb3a194/⁠ ⁠Links to The Hurt Locker Podcast:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100092582456788Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehurtlockerpod/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hurtlockerpodcastYoutube - https://www.youtube.com/@thehurtlockerpodWebsite - https://thehurtlockerpod.libsyn.comCourageous Productions - https://www.instagram.com/courageous_productions/?hl=enTim Roe (production artist) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/timroewp/