June 2025 - Men’s Mental Health Week. It’s Time to Break the Silence

Every June, Men’s Mental Health Week shines a light on something that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough, how men are really feeling behind the masks they wear. We all know the stereotypes: men should be strong, stoic, sorted. But the truth? Men feel deeply. They worry, grieve, feel anxious, burn out, and break down just like anyone else. The difference is, many of them do it in silence.

The Hidden Crisis

Statistics show that men are less likely to access talking therapy, more likely to misuse alcohol, and at significantly higher risk of suicide, especially in their 40s and 50s. These aren’t just numbers. These are sons, partners, dads, brothers, friends, colleagues.

Behind the silence, men often say:

“I don’t want to be a burden.”

“I need to man up”

“I should be able to handle this.”

“No one wants to hear me complain.”

“I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

We need to change the story. Because bottling things up doesn’t make us stronger. It just makes the load heavier.

What Does Male Mental Health Look Like?

Sometimes it’s obvious. But often, it hides in plain sight, masked by workaholism, anger, irritability, withdrawal, or humour. Some men cope by staying busy. Others by shutting down.

Men may struggle with:

• Pressure to provide or perform

• Career setbacks or redundancy

• Relationship breakdowns or loneliness

• Health worries or ageing

• Loss, grief or trauma

• Fear of failure or not being ‘enough’

None of these make you weak. They make you human.

Real Strength Is Speaking Up

If you’re a man reading this, know that:

• You are allowed to struggle.

• You don’t have to have all the answers.

• You deserve support, just like anyone else.

• Reaching out is not a sign of weakness.

Talking doesn’t mean spilling everything at once. It can start small — a chat with a mate, a quiet moment with a partner, or a first session with a counsellor. As a therapist, I work with many men who tell me, “I wish I’d done this sooner.” Once the initial discomfort passes, most feel relief — not just for being heard, but for finally understanding themselves more deeply.

Supporting the Men in Your Life

If you’re not sure how to help a man who’s struggling, try this:

• Start with curiosity, not judgment. “You don’t seem yourself lately - want to talk about it?”

• Be present. Sometimes just being there matters more than saying the perfect thing.

• Avoid clichés. “Man up” and “just get on with it” help no one.

• Encourage support. Counselling, coaching, talking therapies — thereare options.

• And remember — just because someone looks like they’re coping doesn’t mean they are.

How I Can Help

At Renewed Perspective, I offer a confidential, supportive space for men to talk without pressure or performance. Whether it’s stress, life changes, anxiety, relationship difficulties, or something harder to name - you’re not alone.

• Individual therapy: £50 per session

• Couples therapy: £80 per session

It takes courage to open up. But there’s real strength in choosing to take care of your mental health. This Men’s Mental Health Week, let’s check in with ourselves — and each other. Because when men talk, lives change.

May 2025 - Mental Health Awareness Week

It’s Time to Make Space for Our Minds

Every May, Mental Health Awareness Week gives us an importantreminder: our mental health matters just as much as our physical health.In fact, the two are deeply connected.

Whether it’s the anxiety we try to mask during a busy workday, the low moods we can’t quite shake, or the quiet burnout that creeps up without warning, these experiences are more common than you might think. And yet, many people still find it hard to talk openly about how they’re feeling. Let’s change that.

Why Mental Health Awareness Week Matters

It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day life, juggling responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations. But mental health isn’t something that can be put on the back burner, it’s something we live with every day.

This week is about:

• Raising awareness of mental health challenges

• Breaking the stigma around mental illness and emotional struggles and in particular men’s mental health. Talking about it does not make you weak.

• Encouraging conversations that are honest, kind, and free from judgment.

• Promoting support—whether personal, professional, or clinical.

The Silent Struggles

Not all struggles are visible. Many people look fine on the outside but are battling exhaustion, anxiety, grief, loneliness, or low self-worth beneath the surface.

In my work as both a counsellor and an HR professional, I often support people who say:

“I don’t know why I feel like this.”

“I just keep going, I have to.”

“I feel guilty for struggling when others have it worse.”

Let’s be clear: your mental health deserves attention, no matter what your circumstances are. You don’t need to justify it, compare it, or wait until you’re in crisis.

Small Steps, Big Shifts

Looking after our mental health doesn’t need to mean big changes overnight. Often, it starts with small, consistent acts of self-care and self-awareness:

Check in with yourself regularly – How am I really feeling? What do I need today?

• Talk to someone – A friend, partner, colleague, therapist or coach. You don’t have to face things alone.

•  Set boundaries – It’s okay to say no, take a break, or step back when you need to.

•  Move your body – Walk, stretch, dance, or get some fresh air. It all helps shift stuck energy.

•  Limit comparison – Social media rarely shows the full picture.

• You are enough as you are.

•  Prioritise rest – Not just sleep, but real downtime where you’re not ‘on’.

For Leaders and Employers

Mental health awareness isn’t just an individual responsibility, it’s a cultural one. As leaders, we have a duty to create workplaces where:

• People feel safe to speak up.

• Mental health support is visible and accessible.

• Workload is balanced with wellbeing.

• Flexible and inclusive practices are standard.

• Mental health is seen not as a weakness, but a part of being human.

Supporting staff wellbeing doesn’t just improve retention and performance, it builds trust and belonging. And that’s what truly makes a workplace thrive.

Let’s normalise the conversation. Let’s support each other. And most importantly, let’s take care of our mental health, not just during Mental Health Awareness Week, but all year round.

How I Can Help

At Renewed Perspective, I offer individual and couples counselling, as well as confidence coaching and HR-informed support for professionals and organisations navigating change, stress, or emotional overwhelm.

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, don’t wait for a crisis. Support is available. As a BACP registered therapist, couples therapist and coach, I offer confidential sessions for individuals and couples navigating stress, transitions, or burnout.

April 2025 – Stress Awareness Month

What Is Stress, Really?

April is Stress awareness week. Stress is part of life and is a natural response to a perceived threat. It triggers the body’s “fight or flight” system, helping us react quickly in a crisis. While this can be helpful in short bursts, prolonged or chronic exposure to stress can take a real toll on our mental and physical health.

So, how does stress show up:

• Irritability or mood swings.

• Sleep disturbances.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Fatigue or burnout.

• Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach issues, or muscle tension.

• Withdrawing from friends, family or colleagues.

We often carry stress silently, pushing through our day, trying to appear fine on the outside. But underneath, we may be overwhelmed, anxious, or simply exhausted.

Common Causes of Stress

Stress looks different for everyone, but common causes include:

• Workload and deadlines

• Relationship pressures

• Financial uncertainty

• Health concerns

• Life transitions (such as retirement, bereavement, separation, or becoming a parent)

How Can We Manage Stress Better?

We can’t eliminate stress entirely, but we can change how we respond to it. Here are some practical strategies:

Acknowledge it

Denial doesn’t help. Recognising and naming stress is the first step toward managing it.

Talk about it

Whether it’s with a friend, colleague, manager or counsellor, sharing how you feel can be a powerful release.

Set boundaries

Don’t be afraid to say no or to set limits on your time and energy.

Prioritise rest and recovery

Make space for rest, real rest, not just scrolling on your phone. Sleep, nature, downtime, and deep breaths all matter.

Practice self-care

Exercise, a good meal, journaling, or simply doing something you enjoy can re-centre you.

Seek support

If stress becomes overwhelming, professional support can make a real difference. Talking therapies, coaching, or structured wellbeing programmes are not signs of weakness they are acts of self respect.

For Employers: Create a Culture That Cares

As someone with both HR and counselling experience, I’ve seen first-hand how proactive support for mental health can transform teams and organisations.

Employers play a critical role in supporting staff wellbeing by:

• Encouraging open dialogue.

• Training managers to spot signs of stress.

• Promoting flexible working practices.

• Offering access to counselling, coaching, and EAPs.

• Embedding wellbeing into organisational values - not just ticking boxes.

Final Thought

Stress Awareness Week isn’t just a calendar event, it’s a prompt for change. Whether you’re reading this as an individual, a manager, or someone supporting others, I encourage you to pause and reflect.

What does stress look like in your life right now?

What small changes could help lighten the load?

And if you’re supporting others, remember this: sometimes the most powerful thing you can offer is simply to listen. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, don’t wait for a crisis. Support is available. As a BACP registered therapist, couples therapist and coach, I offer confidential sessions for individuals and couples navigating stress, transitions, or burnout.