Photos: Kurt Langer
Decked out in colourful geometric shapes, construction manager Alan Farragher stands out in a sea of hi-vis on site – and that’s exactly the way he wants it.
The Irish-born father-of-three dreamed up the idea for Diamond Workwear’s colourful attire after overcoming early adversity, then becoming a father inspired him to realise how important it is for tradies – and everyone – to be proactive and speak up about mental health.
“The construction industry has a hard-man reputation. But, it’s the worst industry in New Zealand for suicide,” shares Alan, 37. He donates 50 percent of profits to local mental health charities. “One construction worker per week dies by suicide and one farm worker every fortnight. 98 percent of those deaths are men, 16 percent didn’t make it to their 25th birthday and 14 percent didn’t make it to their 50th.
“I’ve worked on construction sites all over New Zealand. I’ve seen mates and colleagues struggle with their mental health, but this issue is hidden in ‘invisibility orange’. With so many people around us wearing hi-vis clothing, we tend not to notice them any more. Diamond Workwear is about normalising mental health conversations.”
After losing his mum Eileen to ovarian cancer when he was 16, Alan is no stranger to toughing it out. Then six months later, his dad Gabriel had a brain haemorrhage and was unable to work. A very young Alan took over the family construction business. He kept it going for four years until his dad was well enough to return.
“I felt I owed it to my dad and the people in the business to keep it alive, but I was totally desensitised to everything around me,” he recalls. “I was working every hour and living a 50-year old’s life.”
Around the same time, his cousin Paul died by suicide. However, Alan was already dealing with so much, he struggled to process the loss.
“I didn’t realise the severity of it because of all the suffering I had gone through. I only realised years later how much it affected me.”
Reflecting on these challenges, Alan pays homage to his now 103-year-old grandmother Attracta, who raised him after his mother’s death.
“She had already raised six children of her own and is a tough lady. Her advice was, ‘You can feel sorry for yourself or you can make your parents proud.’”
The sage words helped him navigate life. However, it wasn’t until he left the family business that Alan stopped to really consider the trials and trauma he’d experienced.
First up was reliving the teenage years he missed out on, and Alan set off travelling through Australia and New Zealand.
While in Aotearoa, he fell in love with his now-wife Mahara. He counts becoming a father to their three sons, Harley, four, and Malachi and Hunter, both three, as his biggest blessing.
“When my first son was born, it changed how I looked at people,” says Alan. “I realised I was a really tough boss. I didn’t understand why people wanted to leave early or not work weekends. For many years, I was very inconsiderate of anyone else and their commitments outside of work because work was all I focused on.
“Once I had my own kids, my view on everything changed. I started to understand why people needed to get home. I started asking about their lives outside of work. At first, they were reluctant to talk.”
But the now-compassionate leader has found Diamond Workwear to be a great conversation starter, helping people to open up.
“The initial reaction to the shirts is often, ‘Wow, what the hell is that about?’ But when I explain, people get comfortable talking. Promoting good mental health is not just talking about dark things, but talking about the smaller things and the good things too, which is why I used bright colours.
“I’m not a counsellor, but I’ve been through a lot myself and I wanted to make a difference. Not just for my kids and my co-workers’ kids, but for everyone who is coming after us. I want to change the statistics.
“Where I’m from, the sons follow the father. When my three little boys grow up, I want people in the business to care about them as much as I care about them.”
To find out more about Diamond Workwear, visit diamondworkwear.co.nz.
Help is here
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202.
Anxiety NZ – 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY).
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