After more than 15 years working as an electrician, I know the pressures that can come with life in construction long hours, high expectations, responsibility, banter and the tendency to keep going even when something doesn’t feel right.
My own mental health has not always been straightforward. I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD and OCD, and there have been periods in my life where I felt overwhelmed, isolated and unsure where to turn. On two occasions, I reached the point of experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Therapy became a turning point for me. It gave me space to understand what I was carrying, helped me begin speaking more openly and changed the way I thought about mental health, strength and asking for support.
Those experiences eventually led me to create Onward Shift, a mental health platform built specifically around the construction industry.
Today, I share my story with construction companies, education providers and teams across the industry, talking honestly about mental health, masculinity, loneliness, pressure, therapy and the power of human connection.
My talks are not about pretending there is one answer to mental health. They are about helping people recognise when something may not be right, challenging the idea that we always have to cope alone and creating more space for honest conversations.
I’m still an electrician at heart, and that matters to me. I speak from inside the industry, not as somebody looking in from the outside.
If sharing my story helps one person speak sooner, ask for support or better understand somebody around them, then the conversation has been worth having.
In episode 7 of the Onward Shift Podcast, we explore what success really means and how our definition of it can change over time. For a lot of people, success is often linked to money, status, fast cars or owning a big house but is that actually what brings fulfilment?
I share personal reflections on how my own view of success has shifted through life experiences, mental health struggles and learning to appreciate the smaller moments that genuinely matter from being present with loved ones to enjoying peace, purpose and balance, this episode is about questioning the pressure to constantly chase more.
We also talk about comparison, social media expectations and the danger of measuring your life against somebody else’s highlight reel. Success looks different for everyone and sometimes real growth comes from learning to slow down, enjoy the journey and define life on your own terms.
If you’ve ever felt pressure to “keep up” or questioned whether success should feel different, this conversation is for you.
The Power of Onward Shift – A true moment we’ll forever remember.
We had the honour to have Onward Shift join our virtual event at Kier Transportation in commemoration of International Men’s Day. We specifically asked for Vish to share his personal story, reflections and answer any questions from across the division.
Words cannot describe how engaging he is, within in person and virtual setting. A true professional and true icon, passionately speaking on what needs to change within the industry but also sharing actionable tips for everyone to utilise.
Across the division we had continuous feedback about how open, honest and raw Vish and his persona is. Something that isn’t taught, a true expert.
We cannot thank you enough for this session and excited to have more sessions with Vish and Onward Shift at Kier Transportation!
We invited Vish to speak to our construction students as part of our New City College Hackney Campus Mental Wealth Festival and the impact was outstanding. He delivered a powerful and honest talk about his journey with mental health while working as an electrician, which really resonated with our learners.
We had 130 students in attendance, and they were fully engaged throughout. They asked thoughtful questions, and many even stayed behind afterwards to speak with him one-on-one a true reflection of how much his story connected with them.
Vish was completely authentic and humble, and his message was both inspirational and meaningful. His openness about the importance of seeking help and how it changed his life left a lasting impression on our students.
Keep up the great work, Vishal you are making a real difference and leading positive change in the construction industry, especially around men’s mental health.
I would highly recommend this experience to any college or construction company looking to support and inspire their people.
Vish’s mission to make it easier for men working in construction to talk about their mental health is a crucial one if we are to be a happy and healthy nation. His honesty, humour and empathy shine through. He really connects with his audience. I came away thinking much more deeply about the pressures men experience in the world of work and how much more we need to support them.
Yes. Our keynote speakers can be booked by construction companies, education providers and other organisations looking to start meaningful conversations around mental health and lived experience.
Pricing varies depending on the speaker, location, session length and requirements. We’ll provide a clear price before anything is booked.
Yes, we can travel across the UK and beyond.
Construction is our main focus, although our speakers can also share their experiences with audiences outside the industry where the subject and message are a good fit.
A keynote is primarily designed to share a powerful message or lived experience with a wider audience. Workshops are usually more interactive and give people more opportunity to explore a particular mental health topic, ask questions and take part in discussion or practical activities.
Imagine a project team that has spent months working under a difficult client, dealing with changing instructions and constant pressure to recover time. People are
What Mental Health Really Looks Like in Construction Two years ago, back in 2024, I was an electrician woking on the tools while managing my
Whenever I stand in front of a construction audience, I know there will usually be a few people wondering what a mental health talk has
Helping construction, one conversation at a time.
Helping construction, one conversation at a time.
