There’s no doubt that 2020 has been a momentous year due to COVID-19. But it has had a few positives in it, not least the launch of the Construct-Ability network.

In October, four friends, all construction professionals, came together in a socially-distanced way to form a new group dedicated to supporting those in the construction industry with a disability, a hidden disability or a neurodiversity condition – myself, Lisa McAteer, Jez Cutler and Teik Tan were very proud to launch “Construct-Ability”.

I’ve been asked what it was that made me decide to launch Construct-Ability. For the last 5 years, I have been an equality, diversity and inclusion advocate for the construction sector, having been one of the co-founders of the LGBT industry network “Building Equality”. Over the last 5 years, this network has grown from four companies to over 40 large tier ones, clients and other organisations.

Over recent years we have seen a sea change in supporting mental health in the industry. And a growing movement on gender and ethnicity in terms of inclusion.

However, I and the other Construct-Ability co-founders realised that while the industry had improved, the industry was still not supporting everyone. For people with disabilities, hidden disabilities or those with a neuro-diverse background, there was nothing. Not in terms of building accessibility, but in terms of cultural inclusion.

These things matter because people matter, people’s ability to feel that they belong matters – and only a truly inclusive construction industry will recruit and retain the best staff, whatever their identity or background, if they have a culture of belonging.

During my 30s I had a hidden disability. Not every disability can be seen. For me, 20 years ago I would suffer from Chronic Panic Attacks. For the uneducated, panic attacks can be easily dismissed. But for the person suffering a panic attack, and consequently repeated attacks, the symptom can be disabling.

I’ve been asked before now what it’s like having a panic attack. My symptoms were not visible. My heart would spontaneously race, from a normal beat to something like a bullet train. It was frightening. The attacks would happen at home, in the office, on the train to work, and in my sleep. They would be accompanied by palpitations. The panic fed the panic and they got progressively worse to the point where it was difficult to live a normal life.

After 10 years of attacks, I found counselling sessions where I disclosed my gender dysphoria. The sessions created a safe space to come out as trans, and at the same time allowed all the built-up anxiety to be reduced and eventually cured.

In terms of where I am now, I have not had a panic attack in nearly 10 years. It was the scariest time of my life. I genuinely thought I was going to die. But it was all in the mind. Talking therapy really can reduce and even cure hidden disabilities like Panic Disorder.

The Construct-Ability Network is here to bring these hidden disabilities to the attention of the industry, in that if we talk about disability and hidden disability, we can help others in our industry to have greater empathy and understanding. Which in turn will not only help your employees to have fulfilling careers, but also keep the best people in our industry.

If you have been affected by this blog you can get in touch by emailing Construct-Ability at: [email protected]

You can find out further information on panic disorder at the Mind Charity web site: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/panic-attacks/