It's OK to Talk: A Practical Guide to Mental Health for Men

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David’s brilliance at condensing such complexities into four seemingly innocuous words made me re-think the true nature of creativity. There are over 150 groups across the UK including; London Euston, Barnet, Basildon, Chelmsford – just to name a few locally – Plus online sessions. How did I find myself at this point? How did I get that far along? Primarily, by not telling anybody that I was on the way there.

Being supportive, empathetic and respectful of each other can make a huge difference to how able we are to manage our mental health at work. Breathe… The basis of reciprocating confidences was that the exchange of ‘confidences’ between human beings leads to better communications and, in turn, deeper relationships. There's no right or wrong way to talk about mental health. But these tips can help make sure you’re approaching the conversation in a helpful way. Ask questions and listen I had been experiencing anxiety and depression. I was having therapy, trying my best to confront issues I’d never dealt with. But my true feelings were still left behind, confined within my own four walls. I wasn’t sharing them with my friends or family. I was a closed book. Was it because of my upbringing? Was it my job? AMV’s response to the briefing document that had taken months to prepare and was measurable by its weight, running as it did to several inches deep, was four simple but unforgettable words: It’s good to talk.You never know what else is going on with the people you work with. Our colleagues are human beings who may be suffering, or having a bad time. BT really could be about improving relationships through enabling the ‘reciprocation of confidences’. Ben found his mental health had worsened over the course of the Coronavirus pandemic but by speaking out he was able to move forward and improve his wellbeing. He was inspired to start his challenge on World Mental Health Day in October 2021 when he held a sign at Leeds station reading ‘My name is Ben and I get depressed sometimes #ItsOkayToTalk’. He has since amassed a huge following on TikTok, with millions of viewers watching his videos encouraging people in train stations to approach him and start conversations about wellbeing.

Head 4 Health has also benefitted from interaction with Wolves’ first-team squad, for whom skipper Conor Coady regularly promotes positive mental health benefits. If you’re grappling with difficult emotions, talking through them can help you explore them more carefully. With scientific Stephen Hawking previously on air in a big corporate commercial, and bruiser Hoskins now telling the world that ‘It’s Good to Talk,’ we had people either unable to, or not known for their ability to communicate, celebrating the virtues of communication. It all had a wonderful circular inner logic.Talking to yourself, especially when stressed or trying to figure something out, can help you examine your feelings and knowledge of the situation. But this won’t do much good if you don’t actually listen to what you have to say.

If you listen to a ‘typical’ conversation of a group of men, you might hear discussion about general health or illness; flu and stomach bugs, or even sporting injuries… yet you probably won’t hear talk of mental health. You may have vented some frustration with a few exclamations (even expletives). You probably also talked yourself through the toughest parts, maybe even reminded yourself of your progress when you felt like giving up. In the end, you succeeded, and talking to yourself may have helped. Ben’s award comes at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, one of the largest awareness week campaigns which this year is highlighting how loneliness and social isolation impact on mental health, and how connecting with other people can improve wellbeing.

Tips for talking

So when you see the #itsokaytotalk photos popping up on your social networks, join the conversation. For more about how you could offer support, see our information on supporting someone else to seek help for a mental health problem.