Dad driven to suicide by drugs, drink and depression is now helping others with mental health issues
In 2008 father-of-two Dave Lee, 48, was so low he drove to a roundabout intending to smash his work van into a barrier
A DAD driven to the brink of suicide by drugs, drink and depression is going around the world helping others with mental health issues.
In 2008, builder Dave Lee, 48, was so low he drove to a roundabout intending to smash his work van into a barrier.
But thinking of his six-year old daughter Kitty stopped him. He turned round and went home — then got professional help.
Once he felt able, he later contacted global job site Randstad, after hearing about its Returning To Work programme helping people bounce back from long absences.
The thousands helped by it include mums returning from maternity leave, people made redundant, serving jail terms — or suffering with mental health problems.
Dave, of Newhaven, East Sussex, has swapped building for working as an inner-wellbeing consultant — and co-founded A Deeper Understanding.
It is a company providing mental health support and urging firms to discuss the issue.
He also wrote The Hairy Arsed Builder’s Guide To Stress Management, which tackles stereotypes in the construction trade.
He said: “Mental health naturally occurs.
“We are only one thought away from either happiness or sadness.
“I took antidepressants for 30-odd years but came to see I wasn’t depressed, I just had sad thoughts occasionally. It was a light-bulb moment.
“Employers need to see what connects rather than separates us.
“Someone with mental health problems can be a positive influence in the workplace.”
Mark Bull, chief executive of Randstad UK, said: “Returning to work is one of the most important steps in getting back to normal after major life events. It’s important to know your rights and be prepared for the change.”
Job spot
WHSmith wants a part-time counter assistant for its Truro branch in Cornwall. See
Email fail is sent packing
IF you have ever sent a work email and immediately regretted it, you are not alone.
Almost half of 2,000 workers quizzed for a OnePoll survey said they had received a panicked email “recall” request.
One in ten workers admitted to accidentally sending sensitive attachments, such as bank details or customer information.
But the research, by data privacy and risk management company Software Technologies, also revealed around 24 per cent of respondents deliberately leaked private information.
Egress boss Tony Pepper said: “While these email fails can be perfectly innocuous, they can cause serious problems to the sender and their company.”
Now the company has launched Switch Threat Protection, which alerts users and central administrators when they are sending an email to potentially the wrong person – preventing the release of sensitive content before it happens.
Phew!
Job spot
HOWLETTS Wild Animal Park in Kent is looking for elves to cover the festive season. See
Swipe right for jobs
WE know about swiping right when looking for love in the online dating game – but that idea can now be applied to jobs.
The Monster Job Search App helps candidates find and apply for roles on their mobiles following three steps:
- Users create a profile in two clicks, using social media or uploading a CV.
- Advanced matching technology filters through 200,000 jobs to find the most relevant for the user.
- You apply for or reject jobs with a single swipe.
Users can edit their work profile and upload a full CV from Monster or services such as Dropbox or Google Drive. A swipe right allows candidates to “apply” and their CV or profile will automatically be submitted – no fuss and no delays.
The app is available to download on Android and iPhone.
Backing dyslexics
AN EMPLOYMENT agency is fighting to help people with dyslexia get work.
Exceptional Individuals, the first employment agency for dyslexic people, wants to challenge how employers view people with the condition, or those who have the co-ordination disorder dyspraxia.
Dyslexics are five times more likely to be unemployed and ten per cent of the population has the condition. The agency, inspired by famous dyslexics Richard Branson and Albert Einstein, has joined forces with prospective employers to convince them hiring dyslexics is an advantage.
They offer workplace help plus access to tech, such as pens that convert writing into digital text.
See excep.co.uk for details.
Hammer out for a future
THE number of people with jobs in construction is expected to reach more than 2.6million this year.
It is the highest since the recession hit in 2007 – so there has never been a better time to get into the building trade.
Ollie Allen, 29, runs a carpentry and construction company and won the 2017 Jewson Young Tradesperson of the Year competition.
Here, he advises how to get into and succeed in construction.
- Getting qualified: There are loads of ways into the industry. One of the best is with an apprenticeship.
- Be confident: Whether you’re just starting out or setting up your own business, promote yourself. You need to tell people what you’re good at.
- Create a portfolio: You’ll get more business if people can see examples of your work. Take pictures and keep a record of projects. Your portfolio could be on your website or social media.
- Enter awards: Get involved as often as you can.
- Networking: These events are great opportunities to talk to and learn from suppliers and other professionals, and to build your reputation.
