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

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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. For more about how you could offer support, see our information on supporting someone else to seek help for a mental health problem. But over time it started to not only make sense, but also grow as a thought of such immense power that it would become the focal point for all of BT’s consumer advertising.

Let me appeal to the logical, ‘man’ side of your brain. Imagine if you are helping someone carry something. And they are loading you up, adding more things for you to carry until you realise you can’t hold any more. You’ve reached the limit of your strength and any second now you are going to drop everything. Would you say that you need to share the load? You would. So why should your mental health be any different? Why should you allow yourself to be loaded up until you break? It's also difficult. It's difficult for those newcomers to know what to expect, and what's expected of them. I say all of this from a position of experience, because the best thing that I did for myself was to open up. Only when I shared my emotions, did I begin to feel the load lighten and in turn spied a light at the end of the tunnel. Give them time. You might feel anxious to hear their answers, but it helps if you let them take the time they need. There are too many men out there who were just like me - unwilling or simply too afraid to show they're struggling. Men do not want the stigma of terms like ‘mental illness’ or ‘depression’ hanging over their head. Men are ‘strong’; men ‘keep it together’.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. Inclusion is about allowing people to be themselves at work, and embracing everyone’s differences. It’s not just about minorities, gender or sexual orientation – it’s about accepting and respecting everyone for who they are. And that includes mental health. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

So too often, newcomers are left to stumble on it by themselves. Eventually, they figure out the unwritten rules on their own, but that might take months, even years. In other words, you don’t say, “I can absolutely do this.” Instead, you refer to yourself by name or say something like, “You’re doing great. You’ve got so much done already. Just a little bit more.”

It's ok to print your own copy

hour ago 8 Ways Older Adults Can Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation Chronic loneliness can damage your health as much as smoking. Experts share tips for creating social connections. If you slip up, try not to feel embarrassed. Even if you don’t notice it, most people do talk to themselves, at least occasionally.

Andy’s Man Club says it’s #ITSOKTOTALK, there are many pressures on men from society, from telling men to “Man Up” or trying to fit in as ‘one of the lads’ to some cultures teaching young men that it’s weak to ask for help. And it occurred to me: maybe it would be helpful to spell out this unofficial stuff up front, on day 1. Maybe we just need to say what’s ok. To be explicit about the things that those of us who have been here a few years take for granted. Of course they get told all the official stuff - how they get paid, how to use the printer, who their line manager is. The movement is all about changing the conversation around mental health and raising awareness for suicide prevention. There are over 150 groups across the UK including; London Euston, Barnet, Basildon, Chelmsford – just to name a few locally – Plus online sessions.

In some cases, you might actually know the answer, even if you don’t realize it. When you ask yourself “What might help here?” or “What does this mean?” try answering your own question (this can have particular benefit if you’re trying to grasp new material). If someone feels suicidal, talking to someone who can listen and be supportive may be their first step towards getting help. They could talk to someone in their life. They could also talk to a professional such as a doctor or therapist, or a trained listener at a helpline. See our information on talking therapy and counselling and helplines.

So when you see the #itsokaytotalk photos popping up on your social networks, join the conversation. Across the world, the facts speak clearly: men aren’t going to the doctor soon enough. They’re not comfortable talking about their health and their feelings. They struggle in silence, or take action too late. This film was produced as a training aid for all NHS Grampian staff on the difficult topic of racism. Our people, like every organisation across the UK, sadly encounter racism at work and in their wider lives. That simply isn't right. This poster isn't exhaustive. It doesn’t say everything that needs to be said. It's not an induction either, but perhaps it might become part of one. (We're working on a new induction process, something we've needed to do for ages. More on that another time.)We believe that having an inclusive and diverse team makes GDS better and more effective. We’ve posted before about why an inclusive culture is so important . David’s brilliance at condensing such complexities into four seemingly innocuous words made me re-think the true nature of creativity. We have a responsibility to make sure GDS is a healthy place to work, where everyone feels able to talk about their mental health and ask for support if they need it. The GDS Mental Health Network BT really could be about improving relationships through enabling the ‘reciprocation of confidences’. Stay calm. Even though it might be upsetting to hear that someone you care about is distressed, try to stay calm. This will help your friend or family member to feel calmer too.