7th October 2025: Chadwicks Group, Ireland’s leading builders’ merchant, has announced a partnership with global mental health initiative Elephant in the Room to mark World Mental Health Day this Friday, 10th October. Bespoke elephant sculptures will tour branches nationwide to shine a light on the unspoken challenges of mental health, confronting the “elephant in the room” and encouraging open dialogue among tradespeople and colleagues.
Research highlights hidden struggles
Research conducted by Chadwicks Group this year reveals that mental health remains an area of concern among tradespeople in Ireland. Almost a third (29%) say they prioritise their physical fitness over their mental health, while one in three (32%) who struggle with mental wellbeing admit they don’t talk to anyone about it*.
These findings reflect a critical need to break stigma and make mental health a normal part of everyday conversation, both in the trades sector and beyond.
Elephant sculptures spark conversation
As part of the initiative, Chadwicks Group invited colleagues to enter an art competition and help design their very own elephant sculptures. Colleagues across the network got creative, designing unique elephant sculptures, symbolising the personal challenges that are often faced in silence. The winning designs that were created by Chadwicks Group colleagues reflect creativity, resilience, and empathy.
Over the coming weeks, these two sculptures will tour Chadwicks Group branches including Chadwicks, Heiton Steel, The Panelling Centre, Morgans Timber, Sitetech, Proline, Telfords, Cork Builder Providers, Davies and HSS Hire Ireland, with each location proudly hosting an elephant for one week. The aim is to place mental health “in the open” and encourage conversation between Chadwicks Group colleagues, customers, and communities.
Supporting Aware through fundraising
Alongside the sculpture tour, colleagues across the Chadwicks Group branch network are organising bake sales to raise funds for Irish mental health charity, Aware.
This initiative reinforces Chadwicks Group’s ongoing focus on wellbeing and complements its wider support programmes.
A long-term commitment to wellbeing
Chadwicks Group continues to embed mental health awareness into the business through an ongoing Mental Health First Aid programme delivered in partnership with Vhi. At least one colleague in every branch completes the training, while new hires receive wellbeing awareness sessions during induction.
Through initiatives like “How’s the Head?” and this new partnership with Elephant in the Room, Chadwicks Group is making mental health support a cornerstone of workplace culture.
Patrick Atkinson, CEO of Chadwicks Group, said: “At Chadwicks Group, we’ve seen through initiatives like ‘How’s the Head?’ that sometimes the simplest question can open up powerful conversations. Our research shows too many tradespeople are still battling in silence, and that needs to change. The Elephant in the Room partnership brings a fresh way of making mental health visible, a reminder that support is always available and no one has to face challenges alone.”
Dave Southern of Elephant in the Room, added:
“Elephant in the Room was created to encourage more open and honest conversations about mental health. Partnering with Chadwicks Group allows us to bring that message directly into Ireland’s trade sector. These elephants are more than sculptures, they’re symbols that say: it’s okay to talk, to seek support, and to share what you’re going through.”
Brent Pope, former professional rugby player, long-standing mental health advocate, and Founder of Elephant in the Room concluded: “Mental health is often the elephant in the room. By placing these sculptures in Chadwicks Group locations across Ireland, we’re making sure that people don’t ignore it, but instead feel supported to speak out. I’m proud to see Chadwicks Group championing this message in such a meaningful way.”