The trouble with Mens' Mental Health

In my personal life I have experienced the loss of a good man by suicide. I also know too many men who have low mood, anxiety, overwhelm, trauma, abuse, anger problems, addictions - the list goes on...

Often they try to manage it all, try to keep it all quiet, to cope alone and therefore struggle to acknowledge their feelings or cope sometimes. Probably every one of us have experienced mental health challenges at some point in our lifetime and yet how many men will reach out, talk about it, share experiences or ask for support - NOT ENOUGH. This needs to change and hopefully it is, but slowly.

Men are more likely to sleep rough, more likely to use drugs or alcohol to cope and more likely to consider suicide. And these numbers increase significantly if these men are from ethnic minorities, from LGBTQ+ community or from poorer communities.

The author/artist Charlie Mackesy has some beautiful images with a real meaning to them. I have included one here surrounding the idea of bravery because it is so true... I'll let you in on a secret - true strength is within emotional vulnerability (no matter what gender you are!).

If you are having a difficulty time, please reach out to someone, maybe even a Counsellor like me. 💙