MY thoughts on mental health

No single factor causes a suicide. But in my work with men, the same themes come up again and again

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

Cumbria psychotherapist Stephen Hall explores how childhood sexual abuse affects boys and men, from guilt and shame to trust, disclosure and moving forward.

Does testosterone make teenage boys angry and moody? What the research says about puberty, aggression and the developing teenage brain.


Breath is the foundation of men's mental health work - nervous system regulation, sleep and recovery, and why I trained as an Oxygen Advantage Instructor.

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.

Around 1 in 10 new fathers experience postnatal depression - yet few are ever asked. Learn the signs, why dads struggle in silence, and where to find support.

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.