Men's mental health remains one of the most pressing and often overlooked challenges in workplaces today.
Despite progress in societal attitudes, many men still find it incredibly difficult to get the support they need. Generational gender biases, stigma, and internal conflicts such as cognitive dissonance keep too many men silent, even in the face of overwhelming stress or crisis.
Balfour Beatty VINCI(BBV) partnered with Tough To Talk to tackle one fundamental question head-on: why do men struggle to reach out, and how can we break down those barriers for good?
What followed was a campaign that raised awareness and provided actionable, life-saving solutions. This partnership wasn't just about recognition but, creating meaningful, practical tools for change. Here's how it unfolded.
Drawing a Line in the Sand
Tough To Talk's signature "Tough Talk" sessions were at the heart of the campaign. Delivered to workers across all levels—from senior leadership to on-the-ground teams—these sessions were designed to create safe spaces for real, honest discussions about mental health.
Over the course of 10 intense days:
• 50 Tough Talk sessions were delivered across BBV
• Three suicide intervention training days helped equip participants with the skills to step in during a crisis and guide individuals to the support they need.
The result? A core group of 60 trained Tough Talkers emerged. Their role is to act as advocates and lead the charge in reshaping workplace culture.
These individuals are trained to achieve three critical goals:
1. Influence – Push for organisational changes that tackle men's mental health issues head-on. Suggest meaningful reforms to make accessing support easier and more effective.
2. Interaction – Lead by example, fostering conversations in male-centric spaces to reduce stigma and normalise discussions about mental health.
3. Intervention – Confidently recognise and address signs of crisis, providing early, life-saving assistance to those in need.
Real Results, Tangible Impact
The campaign didn't just talk about change—it delivered it.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants giving an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 for the sessions. More importantly, the actions taken during this time made a real difference:
• 12 men raised concerns about colleagues they were worried about, prompting timely support.
• 3 men in crisis came forward after feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn, receiving immediate help.
• 3 men who disclosed active thoughts of suicide were successfully guided to the care and support they needed.
These aren't just numbers - they represent lives impacted, voices heard, and a genuinely caring workplace.
Moving Forward Together.
This campaign was never intended to be a one-time event. It set the foundation for a lasting, purposeful partnership between BBV and Tough To Talk.
Plans are already in motion to build on this momentum:
• E-Learning Initiatives – Tailored digital content to help men and women better understand and address mental health challenges.
• Additional Tough Talk Sessions – Expanding the programme's reach in 2025 to engage more teams and individuals.
• Ongoing Collaborations – Regular updates to existing mental health support systems, focusing on making them more relatable and effective for men, with carefully adjusted language and tone of voice.
The long-term benefits of these actions are profound. When men feel valued, supported, and understood, they're more likely to seek help when needed.
For organisations like BBV , the impact is equally significant. Initiatives like these improve:
• Employee retention and loyalty, with workers feeling a sense of belonging and care.
• Employee engagement, as open dialogues and actionable support systems, reduces burnout.
• Overall performance, including decreased absenteeism and presenteeism and an overall productivity increase, translates into a substantial return on investment.
Breaking Down Barriers
This partnership demonstrates what's possible when workplaces acknowledge men's unique challenges in navigating mental health and commit to being part of the solution.
BBV and Tough To Talk have shown that breaking down barriers takes courage, collaboration, and focusing on realistic, sustainable solutions.
By standing up for men's mental health, we are creating environments where stigma, generational biases, and outdated assumptions no longer stand in the way of progress. Together, we're not just starting conversations—we're saving lives.
If your organisation is ready to take action, Tough To Talk is here to help. Reach out to learn more about our programmes and how we can help you create lasting change.
Remember, honest conversations lead to real solutions—and every life saved is a victory for us all.
Contact Tough To Talk if your organisation would benefit from a partnership like this.