TRIGGER WARNING: This article involves discussion on mental health and trauma. It may be difficult reading this story, especially if you’ve had similar experiences or supported a friend or family member. If you’re feeling impacted, contact Beyond Blue for immediate support, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Headspace, or your local GP for support.

When Bobby Fitzsimmons speaks at a Beyond Blue event, it’s his honesty, braveness and compassion that holds the audience’s attention. This 40-year-old Melburnian reveals the most personal and traumatic experiences of his life.

Over time, he realised that being open to his pain often encourages people to get help and manage their own mental health issues. ‘I tell people I'm a success story,’ he says. ‘Telling my story is a special gift I can give back to the community and to people who may be struggling with their own mental health and wellbeing.’

His story

For Bobby, he first experienced mental health issues when he was a young adolescent due to a traumatic event as a child. In his twenties, he found the courage to travel overseas for a working holiday.

‘Working in London was a great time in my life,’ recalls Bobby, who stayed in Europe for eight years. He soon became a Construction Project Manager, working on a large-scale retail development at Sainsbury’s supermarket chain.

One of his most cherished moments was finding the love of his life, Maria, while living there. The pair eventually moved to his hometown of Melbourne and were married in 2018.

Upon his arrival, Bobby took on a new position, managing a store expansion program at Kmart. ‘I was working 15-hour days with my phone going off at all hours in the night,’ he recalls. ‘I travelled a lot, about 180 flights one year. Before long, I was burnt out and started to struggle a little.’

During this time, the signs of his mental health issues returned. As a solution, Bobby took on a new role at Coles which was closer to home. But his life changed in 2016.

‘One of my best friends passed away from leukaemia at the age of 34. As a young male working and travelling hard, you build up an air of invincibility; you think you're unbreakable. But seeing my best mate go through 12 months of a life-threatening illness that sadly took his life, it gave me perspective,’ he says.

‘I was wondering, "Why am I doing things I don't enjoy?" So, I took a three-month career break to get some space and consider my passions.’

Bobby soon took on various roles for airlines, working in aviation construction, before being offered a prestigious position as Head of Procurement at Melbourne Airport and Launceston Airport. It was a move that gave him real satisfaction. ‘You make your own luck, but I've taken some risks along the way and that has really advanced my career,’ he says.

Bobby found Melbourne Airport a perfect fit due to its people-first culture. ‘It's a fully flexible working environment, which began when COVID-19 started,’ he explains. Working from home is ideal for Bobby who has a one-year-old and three-year-old. ‘I have regular periods of my diary blocked out for things such as kids’ swimming lessons. This gives me a great work/life balance.’

In 2020, Bobby even had the chance to spend time with his ill father in Queensland during lockdowns. ‘This allowed me to care for him in the last eight weeks of his life. I'm incredibly loyal to Melbourne Airport and Launceston Airport for providing me a work environment that makes me feel valued as a person and allows me to prioritise those important things.’

Coping with trauma

While Bobby’s career was booming, he was still struggling with his mental health. After visiting a Beyond Blue event a few years ago, he saw one of the speakers present their own challenges. ‘I suddenly thought, "What a wonderful opportunity to give back and help reduce the stigma around mental health, particularly with young men."

‘I think my experience is a strong story of survival, hope and resilience. If it's just one person I can have a positive impact on by sharing my journey, then that's a great day for me.’

Managing mental health in the workplace

Beyond Blue ambassador and speaker Bobby Fitzsimmons offers tips to help manage mental health issues in the residential building industry. In addition, he has supported volunteer youth programs, promoting a safe working environment for vulnerable and less fortunate young people working in construction.

Q: How can you promote mental health in your business?

Show a genuine care and interest in the people who work with you and for you. Always lead into a conversation with a personal aspect. Ask, ‘How are you?’ As leaders in the building and construction industry, you can humanise the conversation more by checking in and showing genuine compassion and empathy.

Q: Any tips to support your staff?

You have a better advantage being a smaller business. If you’re a builder with 30 or 40 employees, you should know all of your employees and something about them that's important to them. Having that care, compassion and empathy will create humanised conversations.

Q: What should you watch out for?

If you’re aware of your employees’ normal characteristics and behaviours, you may identify and establish various signs. Then you’ll know when someone is having poor mental health or wellbeing.

Q: How should you respond if an employee or colleague needs help?

The best solution is to provide a safe space for them to let them know it's okay not to be okay. Then ask, listen and make them feel safe and comfortable. If somebody opens up to you, they need to trust you. You’re not an expert in mental health and wellbeing so just provide genuine care and understanding and tell them about platforms for help that are out there. Beyond Blue is a fantastic one – any builder can give a phone number or go online. There are always people on the end of a support line at Beyond Blue and Lifeline.

How Beyond Blue helps

Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Advisor for Beyond Blue, works with a team of dedicated individuals who are committed to improving mental health outcomes for all Australians. He explains how its Community Speakers Program can give people practical tips and guidance. 

‘The Community Speakers Program is an impactful program where Individuals who have personally experienced mental health disorders share their stories with communities, schools, clubs and other public groups across the country,’ he says. ‘These speakers help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by normalising discussions about it and providing relatable, real-life examples of what it's like to live with a mental health disorder.’

‘One of the most powerful aspects of the Community Speakers Program is the reminder that mental health disorders can affect anyone and that it’s not a sign of weakness to experience one. This is particularly important for those who may have experienced childhood traumas, as seeking professional mental health help can be essential for gaining perspective, managing strong emotions and gradually recovering over time.’

Dr Blashki adds that the community speakers also provide practical tips for how to approach and support a loved one or colleague who may be struggling with their mental health. ‘These tips are particularly important for breaking down barriers and reducing the isolation that so often accompanies mental health disorders,’ he says.

‘Overall, this program is an invaluable tool in our efforts to improve mental health outcomes for all Australians. I am honoured to work with Beyond Blue and to work alongside brave and courageous individuals such as Bobby who share their stories and help to improve the lives of so many others.’

HIA Charitable Foundation

The HIA Charitable Foundation (HIACF) is committed to providing support for mental health issues that affect 1 in 4 people in the residential building industry. To date, HIACF has donated more than $1.4 million to charitable causes, with Beyond Blue receiving $1 million since partnering together in 2014. For more information and resources, visit HIA community.

First published on 1 Mar 2023