10-10-25 = World Mental* Health Day: Why Wait Until You’re Broken?
*Although it’s called World Mental Health (WMH) Day, I personally prefer the term “mind health.” For many men, “mental health” can carry stigma or feel like it only applies in crisis. “Mind health” reframes it as something we all have, and all need to take care of — not just when things fall apart.
Every year, WMH Day gives us a collective moment to pause, reflect, and talk about something that too often remains buried — especially among men.
I work with men every day through my coaching practice, and a consistent theme emerges: silence. Not because men don’t feel deeply — but because many have learned, consciously or not, to keep those feelings to themselves. And trust me when this changes it’s literally about learning a new language.
Whether it’s anxiety, burnout, addiction, relationship struggles, or that vague but persistent sense that “something’s off,” too many men carry it alone. They wait until they’re breaking down before they reach out for support.
This WMH Day, I want to offer a different message: Why an earth wait until you’re broken to start looking after your mind health?
The Quiet Crisis: Men’s Mental Health in 2025
The statistics paint a stark picture.
• In 2023, 5,656 suicides were registered in the UK. The male suicide rate was 17.1 per 100,000, compared to 5.6 per 100,000 for women.
• Men aged 45–49 had the highest suicide rate: 25.3 per 100,000.
• Around three in four suicides were men.
• Globally, over 720,000 people die by suicide each year, making it a leading cause of death among those aged 15–29.
• According to the Bupa Wellbeing Index 2025, 50% of men in the UK have experienced mental health struggles, but less than half have sought help.
Behind each number is someone’s father, son, brother, colleague, or friend.
These statistics aren’t just about crisis — they highlight the cost of silence, and how cultural expectations around masculinity often prevent men from seeking help early.
Why So Many Men Stay Silent
Despite growing awareness of men’s mental health, silence still holds power. Here are some of the reasons I see again and again:
1. Cultural Conditioning
Many men are raised with the message that vulnerability equals weakness. “Man up.” “Don’t cry.” “Just get on with it.” These phrases become internalised rules. Opening up can feel like breaking them.
2. Fear of Judgement
“What will people think?” This fear runs deep — especially in workplaces or male friendship groups where strength is narrowly defined.
3. Not Recognising the Signs
Men often experience anxiety, depression or stress differently. It may show up as irritability, withdrawal, anger, risk-taking or addiction rather than obvious sadness. Because it doesn’t look like the “stereotypical” signs, it often goes unaddressed.
4. Lack of Safe Spaces
Where do men go to talk honestly? Many don’t have spaces where emotional conversations feel natural or safe. This absence reinforces the idea that silence is normal.
5. Practical and Internal Barriers
Time, cost, stigma, uncertainty, or simply believing “I should be able to handle this myself” keep many men from reaching out for coaching or mental health support until they hit crisis.
My Reflection: Why I Write This
I’ve lost someone close to suicide — I’ve spoken about this before. So, I understand the damage silence can cause.
Silence can be incredibly destructive. Many men experience moments when their thoughts spiral late at night, when the mind turns in on itself. Outwardly, they may smile at work, laugh with friends, and appear “fine.” Inwardly, they may be anything but.
These moments don’t always have a clear trigger. Sometimes they appear out of nowhere — fleeting but powerful. Often, men bury these thoughts out of shame or fear of judgment, convinced that admitting them would be a sign of weakness.
In reality, speaking up is often the first step toward clarity and strength. Admitting difficult thoughts can feel like a crack in the armour — but that crack is often what lets the light in.
This pattern is common: men push through burnout, replace connection with isolation, and carry inner storms they believe no one could possibly understand. The silence is everywhere.
This isn’t about shaming anyone; it’s an invitation. If any part of this resonates, take it as a signal. Don’t ignore it.
Prevention Matters
In my coaching work, many men come to me after they’ve already been through therapy for issues like anxiety, addiction, burnout or emotional disconnection. Therapy is essential and life-saving — I’ve experienced that truth myself — but I often think: what if we could reach men earlier?
My work isn’t about replacing therapy – there’s plenty of people for that. It’s about getting to men before they reach that point in the first place. Creating spaces where they can talk, reflect and grow before the cracks become chasms.
I strongly believe that if more men had access to coaching, mentoring, or developmental support earlier — we could prevent some of the spirals that end in crisis.
I mean why wait until you’re broken, desperate, or in the depths of despair to ask for help? We don’t wait until we have a heart attack to start exercising. We shouldn’t wait for emotional collapse to look after our mind health either.
Early intervention can save lives.
What You Can Do This WMH Day?
If you’re reading this as a man, a friend, a partner, a colleague or leader — you can make a difference.
1. Start One Honest Conversation
Pick one person and ask, “How are you — really?” Then just listen. No fixing. No judgement. Presence is powerful.
2. Share Your Story or This Article
When one man speaks openly, it gives others permission to do the same. Post about your experiences. Share resources. Break the silence in your circles.
3. Seek Support — Early
If you’re struggling, don’t wait. Talk to a friend. Reach out to a coach or therapist. Book that first conversation. Men’s coaching isn’t about waiting until crisis — it’s about building resilience, emotional clarity and personal growth before things escalate.
4. Normalise Mental Fitness
Just as we train our bodies, we should train our minds. Regular conversations, reflective spaces, coaching and personal development are not luxuries — they’re essential.
5. Advocate in Your Communities
In workplaces, families, and friendship groups, push for safe spaces, mental health support, and early intervention. Culture changes one conversation at a time.
Men’s Coaching & Early Support: A Growing Movement
More men are turning to coaching as a preventative tool — for emotional resilience, burnout prevention, workplace wellbeing and personal development. Whether in Yorkshire, across the UK, or internationally, men’s coaching is becoming a key part of the mental health landscape.
This isn’t about replacing therapy. It’s about prevention, not crisis. It’s about creating space for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and personal growth long before someone reaches breaking point.
Final Thought
WMH Day shouldn’t just be about raising awareness once a year. It should be a reminder to act early. To speak, to listen, and to support men before silence turns into suffering.
If you’re a man reading this and something resonates — take one small step today. A conversation. A message. A coaching enquiry. Anything.
Why wait until you’re broken?
NEED HELP - HERE’S SOME IDEAS:
UK Support Services
☎️ Samaritans (24/7, free)
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: samaritans.org
For anyone in emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or needing to talk confidentially.
🧍♂️ CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Call: 0800 58 58 58 (5 pm–midnight daily)
Webchat: thecalmzone.net
Focused on men’s mental health and suicide prevention. Warm, informal, and very approachable.
💬 Shout (Text Support)
Text: SHOUT to 85258 (24/7, free)
Website: giveusashout.org
Great for those who find texting easier than talking.
🧠 Mind
Info line: 0300 123 3393
Website: mind.org.uk
Provides mental health information, support, and local service signposting.
👨👨👦 Andy’s Man Club
andysmanclub.co.uk
Free peer support groups for men, held weekly across the UK. No pressure to talk — just turn up.
🧠 NHS Mental Health Services
Call: 111 (select the mental health option)
Website: nhs.uk
For crisis situations or to access local mental health teams and services.
🌍 International Resources
If someone is outside the UK, these can help find local support:
International helplines: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
Befrienders Worldwide: https://www.befrienders.org
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Call or text 988 (24/7)
🧭 Early Intervention & Development Support (Pre-crisis)
Not all support has to wait for crisis. Men can also:
🔸 Speak to a trusted friend, mentor, or colleague — opening up early can make a huge difference.
🔸 Join men’s groups / peer circles (e.g. Andy’s Man Club, men’s circles, local community groups).
🔸 Access coaching or counselling for personal development, emotional regulation, or burnout prevention.
🔸 Talk to their GP for referrals, mental health plans, or short-term therapy options.
🔸 Use online communities and apps designed for men’s wellbeing (e.g. Headspace, Calm, Stoic communities, therapy apps).
🚨 If it’s an emergency
Call 999 (UK) or your local emergency services.
Go to A&E if someone’s life is at risk.
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Bio & Keywords
Russ Bignell is a men’s coach based in Yorkshire, UK, working with clients both locally and internationally. He helps professional men reconnect with themselves, build emotional clarity, and create lives that feel meaningful. His work focuses on mindset, nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, burnout prevention and personal development.
Keywords: Men’s mental health, suicide prevention, emotional resilience, men’s coaching, Mental Health Day, burnout, anxiety, addiction, workplace wellbeing, men’s emotional health, prevention not crisis, men’s development, mental health support, early intervention, self-awareness, personal growth for men, Yorkshire UK, international coaching.