A Nottinghamshire man has left his job and made a start on his three month journey walking from Lands End to John O Groats to work on his own mindfulness whilst also raising awareness of mental health in the construction sector. Safety specialist Sean Johnson, of Newark, explained that according to charity Mates In Mind research, a third of construction workers suffer elevated levels of anxiety on a daily basis and that each year 700 people in the sector commit suicide.
"My grandad was in the construction sector as well, and if he wanted to sort of sort his feelings out then he would go down to the pub. That's the type of thing that goes on in the construction sector." He continued: "I was leaving the job anyway, the decision to do this walk came after I had decided to go. I didn't just want to stay at home twiddling my thumbs, I wanted to do something that would clear my own head but raise awareness for a worthy cause."
"It's something I've seen a lot in the industry and I just want to help people to voice their concerns who struggle to be listened to. More so in the office administration role I've spoken to a number of people over the years and provided advice when they have become very stressed out and unstable with workloads.