MY thoughts on mental health

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.

In today’s fast-paced world, taking care of your mental health can sometimes feel like trying to catch the wind. It’s elusive, often overlooked, and yet so essential. If you’ve ever felt hesitant about reaching out for help, you’re not alone. Many men find it challenging to open up about their feelings or struggles. But here’s the good news - support is more accessible than ever, especially through virtual channels designed with your needs in mind. Online counselling offers a

A psychotherapist's reflection on the Frontiers paper challenging Bessel van der Kolk - and why both frameworks point to the same truth about trauma recovery.

Most stress advice fails because it speaks to the mind, not the body. A look at what the nervous system actually needs to settle - and what helps.

Financial pressure does more than strain a man's bank balance - it threatens his identity, dysregulates his nervous system and drives isolation. Therapist Stephen Hall explores why this conversation matters and where healing begins.

A psychotherapist's reflections from the Every Life Matters Suicide Prevention Conference 2026. Why the question we ask about men in crisis is the wrong one.

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.

Productivity that looks like purpose The most dangerous exhaustion looks a lot like purpose. You’re doing meaningful work; ticking things off and showing up for other people. From the outside - and often from the inside - it looks like thriving. Frequently, in my experience, it’s running on empty. For men who lead businesses, serve communities, or work in the helping professions, this pattern is almost occupational. The work feels important. Stepping back feels like letting p

When men find themselves drawn repeatedly into relationships that cause harm - or relationships where they cause harm - it rarely comes down to weakness or poor choices.

A therapist’s reflection on Louis Theroux’s Inside the Manosphere and what the documentary misses about the boys searching for belonging behind the manosphere.

A reflective clinical perspective on male domestic abuse, exploring how men and boys experience harm, trauma, recognition, and the long-term impact on relationships and emotional wellbeing.

Male Domestic Violence, Masculinity, and the Hidden Barriers to Speaking Up Today, as I write this, I turn 55. Birthdays tend to invite reflection. This one feels particularly significant because I am writing about male domestic abuse - something that has shaped my life in ways I only fully understood years later. Before I had language for words like violence, protection, or masculinity; domestic abuse was already present in my story. My father stayed silent about it. He beli

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

Becoming a father can trigger anxiety, old wounds and fear of repeating the past. Explore how men can break intergenerational trauma, recognise paternal postnatal depression and grow into fatherhood with intention.

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.

Porn addiction in men, compulsive habits, and why this isn’t a willpower issue Many men who seek therapy are capable, responsible, and outwardly functioning well. They hold demanding jobs, show up for family, and carry significant responsibility. From the outside, life can look stable or even successful. Yet privately, many feel increasingly disconnected, conflicted, or stuck. In my work with men, I often hear about habits they feel uneasy about but rarely talk about. Pattern

There are times when motivation doesn’t disappear dramatically, but fades quietly in the background. Not enough to stop us entirely, but enough to make things feel heavier, flatter, and harder to sustain.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been aware of a subtle shift, both in my own experience and in the conversations I’m having with clients. The focus that often arrives at the beginning of January begins to wear off, intentions that were set with determination start to feel harder to sustain, and the familiar language of motivation and discipline no longer fits the reality of daily life.