Building Minds – A New Blog by Jake Caulfield

Encouraging Men to Speak Up, Find Strength, and Take Charge of Their Mental Wellbeing

Why I’m Writing This Blog

For years, I suffered in silence. On the outside, I was strong—6’4”, 20 stone, a professional rugby player, and later a leader in schools and business. But inside, I was battling a darkness that almost consumed me.

Men don’t talk about these things. We’ve been conditioned to push through pain, to never show weakness. But here’s the truth: that silence is killing us.

That’s why I’m launching Building Minds—a blog and podcast dedicated to helping men take charge of their mental wellbeing.

This is about breaking the stigma, sharing real stories, and giving men the tools to build mental resilience—whether you’re on the rugby pitch, a construction site, or just navigating life’s pressures.

This blog is written in partnership with The Good News Post, ensuring that these messages of hope, resilience, and strength reach men across the UK and around the world. It’s time to change the conversation.

Why Mental Health in Construction Matters

Construction hides an extremely serious mental health crisis in the industry.

• The suicide rate among construction workers is shockingly high—men in the industry are at risk. In 2020 they were at some of the highest ris of suicide in the country, at 3.7 times higher than the national average.

• Long hours, physical exhaustion, and financial pressure make mental health struggles even harder to manage in modern living.

• There’s a deep-rooted culture of silence, just like in sport—men are expected to ‘man up’ and keep going, no matter how much they’re struggling inside.

That’s why my brother Josh and I are going public with our own mental health battles—to show that real strength comes from speaking up, not suffering in silence.

Introducing the ‘Building Minds’ Podcast

Alongside this blog, I’m also launching ‘Building Minds’—a podcast dedicated to tackling mental health in construction.

On this podcast, we’ll be having real, raw, and practical conversations about:

✅ Mental health struggles in construction and rugby—and how to fight back.

✅ Stories from men who’ve battled through dark times—and what helped them.

✅ Expert advice on managing stress, anxiety, and resilience—from mental health professionals and industry leaders.

This isn’t a self-help podcast filled with clichés. It’s about real talk, real stories, and real solutions that actually work.

What We’re Doing to Change the Industry

Through my company, Evolution Developments, Josh and I are working alongside mental health charities Talk Club, Wellspring Counselling, and In Charley’s Memory to implement real, on-the-ground solutions:

✅ ‘Hard Hat Check-ins’ – Regular, structured opportunities for workers to check in on their mental state.

✅ Mental Health First Aid training – Equipping site managers to spot warning signs and offer support.

✅ Confidential support pathways – Ensuring workers know where to turn when they’re struggling.

✅ ‘Building Minds’ podcast – Bringing honest, relatable conversations to the industry.

Join the Movement

This blog is just the start. Every week, I’ll be sharing:

✅ Personal experiences—the highs, the lows, and what I’ve learned.

✅ Expert insights—practical strategies for managing mental health.

✅ Stories from real men—because you’re not alone in this.

If you’re reading this and struggling, know this: You don’t have to fight this battle alone.

If you’re a business owner, site manager, or industry leader who wants to be part of this revolution, email us at info@evolutiondevelopments.co.uk.