Stepping Out of the Shadows: Men's Mental Health in Focus

Date: Saturday 28 Oct 2023

How the British actor Will Poulter, who has been diagnosed with depression, wants to encourage the conversation around mental health

By Dan Proverbs, founder of BIA

As we navigate through the complex landscape of men's mental health, it's clear that traditional perceptions of masculinity often pose a challenge. The recent Men's Health UK article, featuring Will Poulter’s candid discussion about his own mental health struggles, serves as an important contribution to this conversation.

Acknowledging the problem is a critical first step towards resolution. Undeniably, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among men under 45 in the UK. As someone who has personally experienced these struggles, I appreciate how significant Poulter’s disclosure could be for others facing similar challenges.

Historically, vulnerability has been misconstrued as weakness within masculine norms. This can discourage open discussions about feelings and emotional wellbeing among men. Poulter's honesty challenges this belief by illustrating that strength can coexist with vulnerability and emotional openness.

Poulter’s willingness to share his experiences serves as a guiding light for others feeling isolated in their struggle — it underscores that seeking help isn't an indication of weakness but rather an expression of strength and self-awareness.

Social expectations are only part of the equation; equally important is ensuring accessible help options exist when needed. To address this need at Brothers In Arms (BIA), we created "Blethr", providing a private and secure conversational space where men can explore their feelings without fear or judgment.

Blethr offers more than just dialogue; it fosters prevention through self-management—an approach promoting proactive engagement with mental health rather than waiting for crises to intervene.

A Constructive Path Forward

We need more voices like Poulter's – those willing to challenge ingrained beliefs and dispel myths surrounding masculine silence on mental health issues. We also need to continue advocating for accessible and specialized mental health resources tailored for men, fostering a culture of proactive self-management.

Every man who steps out of the shadows brings us one step closer to reshaping this narrative. Let's ensure they're not alone when they do so. It starts with a conversation, and Blethr is here to facilitate exactly that.

Read his interview here: Will Poulter: ‘Within the Male Community, Mental Health is Especially Stigmatised’

Give Blethr a try here: https://blethr.app/