MY thoughts on mental health

World Mental Health Day falls on Saturday 10th October, and this year's theme from the World Federation for Mental Health is Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change. It recognises lived experience as expertise in its own right: knowledge that comes from having been through something, and that can't be gained from training or research alone. Why this theme matters for men For men, I think this theme is particularly important. Men account for around three quarters of

For years I watched clients arrive at the moment that mattered most right as we turned back toward the car park. This summer, more of them have asked for something longer - half days, full days, sessions spread across a coastline or a valley. Here’s why the extra time makes room for work an hour never could.

A personal reflection on psychological safety, men's mental health, and why one honest voice can make a whole room feel safe enough to speak.

Grief in men doesn't only follow a death. Explore the many forms of male grief, why it's so hard to show, and what actually helps you carry it.

Gareth Southgate's BBC documentary on young men got one thing right: boys aren't a problem to fix. Here's the simple support every young man needs - and how to give it.

Volunteering does more than help others - it boosts mental health, builds purpose and connection. And it matters more now than ever.

As a therapist, I reflect on the Camino that didn't go to plan, warrior energy, and what it means to keep going when the path shifts beneath your feet.

urviving a hard season takes real strength. But the habits that got you through don't always dissolve when the hard times end. Here's what Post-Traumatic Growth actually looks like - and how to begin moving beyond survival mode.

Why men avoid therapy - and the hidden cost of waiting until crisis. A grounded look at strength, stigma and early support for men.

Many men experience anxiety about becoming a father, fear repeating their own upbringing, or struggle with paternal postnatal depression. Explore the hidden emotional challenges of fatherhood and when to seek support.

Mental fitness for men isn’t about pushing harder or relying on willpower. This article explores how sustainable habits support resilience, regulation, and steadiness, especially at this time of year when motivation can waver and pressure starts to build in the background.

A reflective essay on completing 52 waterfalls in one year, exploring hope, despair, resilience, and what sustains men’s mental health when plans fall apart.

As the year winds down, stress can narrow perspective and pull men towards retreat. A personal reflection on the nervous system, connection, and finding balance through nature.

A grounded guide for men navigating grief at Christmas. Learn how grief affects the male nervous system, why Christmas intensifies emotions, and practical ways men can manage grief, stress, and overwhelm during the festive season.

Why self-limiting beliefs show up during change, how they hold men back, and what helps us step forward with confidence and integrity.

Procrastination isn’t about laziness or lack of discipline. It’s often a sign that your nervous system is in protection mode – a body-first signal to slow down. In this piece, Stephen Hall explores why men struggle to get started, what’s really happening beneath the surface, and simple, body-based ways to move through resistance with compassion.

Explore whether a “good addiction” exists. Learn the difference between passion and addiction, with insights from Dr Gabor Maté on habits, freedom, and healing.

Many men say they have no close friends. Discover why friendship gets harder with age, and how men’s groups help rebuild real connection.

Psychosis explained in plain language: what it feels like, how it differs from schizophrenia, common myths, and how men and families can support recovery.

Feeling overloaded? Stand tall by returning to the basics: sleep, movement, time outdoors, steady nutrition, boundaries, and good people around you.