EDITOR’S MESSAGE
Don’t suffer in silence!
T he Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown has brought the issue of mental health in the industry sharply into focus. More than ever associations, companies and individuals are factoring mental health provision into their thinking. There is no doubting the positive work carried out over the past few years by organisations like the Electric Industries Charity with their Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and also, the improved general awareness and understanding of mental health across the industry. This progress has to be applauded, but there is a long way to go. A serious stumbling block remains in the path of real progress. Despite the increased support networks, courses, campaigns and helplines, people, particularly but not exclusively men, continue to suffer in silence. Our inability to effectively destroy the stigma surrounding mental health means it remains the silent killer. Thousands are prevented from asking for help by the mis-guided notion that to do so would be a sign of weakness. It’s why 95% of people in the industry refuse to discuss their mental health problems with a significant other. It’s also what makes John Blake’s story in this edition of Ireland’s Electrical
Fast forward to a digital world It’s like we’ve been inserted into a time machine and someone hit the fast forward button. We already lived in a technologically advanced age, but the recent crisis has definitely accelerated the process. Desktops, laptops, tablets and smart phones; social media, video, Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams; the digital age is here and now. Even before Covid-19 cast a spanner in the works, we had witnessed a significant growth in our online and social media networks, reflected (in the case of Ireland’s Electrical Magazine) by a 64% year-on-year rise in monthly web visitors. That trend towards digital consumption of content has continued at pace since March. Almost 7500 unique monthly web visitors, 6,782 social media followers, 5,788 E-zine digital subscribers, and an impressive 55, 538 monthly social media impressions [each time a post is viewed]. It’s the way forward for any brand or product now. To future proof and stay relevant, you need to speak the language of, and immerse yourself in all things digital.
Magazine (on page 16) all the more noteworthy. A Site Manager at Dublin company Designer Group, the popular father-of-two has been brave enough to talk about his own mental health struggles. As someone who felt the need to maintain a ‘manly’ façade, John is now a firm believer in, and staunch advocate of the opinion that: ‘It’s good to talk’. In recent years we’ve seen more and more celebrities come forward and admit to suffering mental health issues. From Prince Harry to Dwayne Johnson, Lady Gaga to Kendall Jenner - all are to be commended for speaking out. It’s courageous but, let’s be honest, when a celebrity makes as admission like this it’s almost certain to receive a favourable reaction. That’s not a given for the man (or woman) on the street, building site or factory floor. Many fear what impact it might have on their standing with colleagues, and bosses if they confessed to problems with their mental health. It shouldn’t be underestimated how difficult that step can be, nor the positive impact it can have on others when someone does raise their head above the parapet. The more people we have like John Blake, the more chance there is of finally breaking the stigma.
Roger Anderson EDITOR
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 3
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