Let's Talk: Men's Mental Health

Carrying the weight of expectations can be really tough. Especially for someone expecting to make it far in football. Elliot talks us through what his family hoped and expected, to then what he felt when his body started breaking down in his early teen years. Operation after operation, losing his identity, suicidal thoughts and then eventually patterns of addiction. These are familiar stories for...

This session was Elliot's turn to delve into where his mental health developed into what it is now. Elliot admits things like addiction, drug use, panic attacks and depression throughout the sessions. But here, Dr Suzanne Brown wants to start at where those moments began. Perhaps a common one for young lads, but Elliot was a talented footballer as a kid. Predicted by many to make it through th...

In the last session with the group, the guys look back at the process with Dr Suzanne Brown. Reviewing the anxieties they had, how vulnerable they felt and the clarity on where they can talk more and improve their own mental health. What was beautiful, was that, Jonno, who stepped up in the first session talking about miscarriage announces something very big to the group. Which also explains his a...

As the next part of Nick's session, you can see a reflective side come over the group. Nick, through Dr Suzanne Brown's questions realises where and how his feelings arise and what that's done to his actions in the past. It's this part of the conversation where it is opened up, and the group feedback and share their relative stories to support Nick. As men, they go into the subject...

A tough episode for Nick, whereby Dr Suzanne Brown wants to visit Nick's feelings, story and reasons for why he is the person he is today. Nick allows his emotions to come, but does find it difficult to focus back in on himself. This is highlighted by Dr Suzanne Brown who offers Nick her support and guidance through his feelings and emotions during this session. Topics that are discussed are a...

Episode 16 is a brand new session where Dr Suzanne Brown takes the opportunity to check in with the guys and their current mental health. Only for this session, unusually, there's only 4 of the 6 there. Whilst checking in, the elephant in the room is addressed whereby no one knows the circumstances, but they are welcomed to share their feelings on it. In particular, Nick finds this difficult a...

As the lads feedback and wrap up Adam's account of both of his babies births, you feel and see how engaged the others are with his story. This type of feedback comes from listening. Talking. It becomes a conversation that is much, much deeper than the ones we're used to hearing men having. It breaks more boundaries of how the power of talking can open vulnerabilities, ease pain and feel un...

This episode is an extremely personal account of a Dad's experience with the birth of his 2 kids. Neither were easy, nor straight forward, as many aren't. It is the raw honesty of hearing his experience that we find so powerful. Births are beautiful, yet traumatic. Many people have expectations and plans that aren't met once they go into labour with many uncontrollable factors at play....

The first part of the next session brings up some key elements that play throughout the series. The lads continue to gain comfort in each other, share feelings around small detailed failed family plans and the frustration that causes. Something that plays out as Adam shares his story in more detail in the next episode. Others touch upon recognising their happiness as opposed to only recognising co...

Concluding the session, Dr Suzanne Brown gives reality of what Jeevan has been through during his childhood regarding racism. The guys also open up about their experiences and perspective on it, or lack thereof. Jeevan gives an account with a mission that he should be proud of. Staying true to you is his message after losing part of his identity in his childhood. It was important for Jeevan to tak...

Leading on from Episode 10, the group are exposed to a different perspective of growing up as a British Asian kid in secondary school in the UK. Jeevan explains how he was bullied for being asian, racism, how events like 9/11 made him feel as a kid and how he wrestled with his culture inside and outside of his home. Suzanne unpacks these feelings he had as a kid, and how he's managed them grow...

As the group check in for their next session, the guys share stories of their past month with sleepless nights, work, anxiety all playing a part. Such is the way with formats like this, videos are posted on social media and with one of the clips doing very well, we hear how Adam and the group react to the comments of that clip. A valuable insight into the effect of regular people having their stor...

Finishing the powerful session around dealing with a family members suicide, the topic arises of coping with the trauma, finding ways to reset and the support, or lack of, that was available when trying to seek help. Talking about it, like the guys are here is a tremendously brave thing to do. With that, a bond has been created within the group and shows us all how talking can support an individua...

One of the most powerful pieces you will ever see. Hearing an extremely brave individual talk about his experience of his own brother committing suicide, right through to his own attempt with such clarity, poise and composure is astounding. Making for a story we all need to hear, especially for those who find themselves in situations that can relate. Each of the group take in the moment with Dr Su...

The guys talk about handling mixed emotions, laying off alcohol and dealing with work life stress. Suzanne helps the guys work through tough emotions when they question themselves and others. As per each episode, we see the guys reflect on their previous month, both good and bad. The feelings they share are helped to be understood by Suzanne and help them come to terms on why they're looking a...

The guys talk about their struggles with suicidal thoughts and how keeping a brave face can ultimately cause more trouble. They also talk about their teenage rebellious years and how they dealt with father figures. Suicide as a topic comes up again later in the series, but a group of lads openly talking about those type of thoughts brings a real reality to the matter. They all identify not talking...

This week, the guys talk about the emotional scars a missing parent can leave as well as their own anxieties about becoming parents. They were all incredible this week with some really brave revelations. The group is beginning to form common ground with individuals coming out more. One topic that came up even surprised Dr Suzanne Brown. A revelation made about child resentment when dealing with a...

In this episode, the guys talk about how miscarriage can affect a man's mental health and the struggle to find support. They also talk about how they have grown since Episode 3 and their apprehension about coming back to therapy. In regards to the topic of miscarriage, one of the group has experienced this. Twice. His ability to share his feelings about can be felt by so many men across the wo...

Let's Talk is a group environment for 6 men to sit with a Clinical Psychologist and to digest, discuss and support each other in their own mental health journeys. The men have volunteered to step forward and use this format, all with their own unknown stories that they are looking to grow from. These men do not know each other. Many people experience the term "you need to talk more",...

Episode 2 was recorded as part of session 1 so is a continuation of the topics discussed in Episode 1.  The 6 men begin to talk about why they're there, willing to be vulnerable and what their own mental health journeys look like to them. As they've only just met each other, they are finding their comfort zone and boundaries. All with the guidance and explanation of new theories and concep...

Episode 3 is the final part of the first session and serves as a shorter episode. Primarily, here, the group summarises how the first session has gone, how they feel they want to proceed and what they believe they will get from future sessions. A structure is formed within the group with Dr Suzanne Brown helping guide this. A difference can be seen already in how they started episode 1 to how they...

Come with us to hear 6 different perspectives and journeys from men, tackling, talking about and addressing their own mental health. These men are guided by a Clinical Psychologist to help understand the feelings they've had, and to be able to grow from them. Let's Talk: Men's Mental Health isn't here just to tell you to talk more, it's here to show you how.