Talking Saves Lives: ‘For Men To Talk’ visits Skanska during Men’s Health Week

During Men’s Health Week UK (Monday 9 to Sunday 15 June 2025), Luke Newman, founder of ‘For Men To Talk’, gave three powerful presentations to Skanska employees working on the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvement project. The aim? To break the stigma around men’s mental health.

Skanska, one of the UK’s top construction companies, is leading the work on behalf of National Highways. The A428 project will deliver a more reliable, high-quality road connecting the Black Cat junction in Bedfordshire to the Caxton Gibbet roundabout in Cambridgeshire.

‘For Men To Talk’ is a peer support group created for men suffering from anxiety, depression, and grief. It gives men a safe place to speak openly and support one another. The group offers physical, virtual, fishing and walking meetings.

“In construction, there’s this idea that you have to be tough all the time — but real strength comes from speaking up. We lose too many good men in this industry to silence. Talking can save lives.” – Luke Newman, founder of ‘For Men To Talk’

These talks couldn’t have come at a more important time. Men working in construction are three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average. That’s around 34 men per 100,000 in the construction industry, compared to 10 per 100,000 in the general population.

Luke shared his own journey and explained why he set up ‘For Men To Talk’. He also gave details about how people can join the meetings — whether in person, walking in nature, fishing, or online.

Earlier this year, ‘For Men To Talk’ received a grant of £11,212.08 from the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation. This funding helps support meetings in local towns and villages, providing more chances for men to speak out and be heard.

Luke’s sessions with Skanska helped shine a light on a serious issue that often gets ignored. His message gave many workers the courage to open up — or at least take the first step.

By working together and supporting groups like ‘For Men To Talk’, the construction industry can help reduce the risk of suicide and improve the mental wellbeing of thousands of men.

For further information on ‘For Men To Talk’, visit www.formentotalk.co.uk, 07709 446480 or via email at luke@formentotalk.co.uk.