Trigger Warning: this blog, and accompanying videos, mention suicide.
As 9-15 June 2025 is Men’s Health Week, that is the theme for our new blog. As a mental health charity, we will obviously be focusing on that area, but before we start, it is important to say that good health means being both mentally and physically well. The two forms of health are inseparable, if one deteriorates it is likely to impact on the other. Therefore, it is important to give both areas your focus and attention.
If you are familiar with our blogs, you will know that normally we start by demonstrating why the theme of the blog is important, through sharing key, but often shocking, statistics. However, these statistics mask the real-life, unique stories of those who have experienced mental ill-health. Therefore, I’m leaving it to a number of courageous people, their families and colleagues to share why it is so vital that we end the culture of silence that prevents men from seeking help for their mental health when they need it.
Why men should talk
John’s story
In our first video we meet John Pemberton, an offshore scaffolder at Bilfinger UK. “I was carrying a big weight all the time; everything was hard work and my marriage broke down. I didn’t recognise it. I just thought that’s how things are, I just had to get on with it. I was wrong about that mindset. … I got the support I needed and now I am passionate about encouraging everyone to support those around them. If you think someone is struggling, ask if they’re ok, ask if they’d like to talk, but don’t just leave it, let them know that you’re there whenever they need to talk.”
Thank you to John for sharing his mental health journey, and to Bilfinger UK for creating this video and allowing us to share it.
Chris’s story
Next, we meet Chris’s family and colleagues. This is a really emotional watch, but I am sharing it because it is important that we all understand that stress, if left unaddressed, can have a devastating impact on the individual, and it can have life changing repercussions for them, as well as their family, friends and colleagues.
Thank you to Michelle Wiles, our Patron, and her family for allowing us to create and share Chris’s story.
Tom, Paul, Mike and Dan
Fischer Fixings UK, in partnership with the team at Mates in Mind, have created a series of videos which take a deep dive into some of the most critical mental health challenges faced by workers in the construction industry. Through open conversations, the series aims to lessen the stigma surrounding mental health in construction and offer guidance for those who may be experiencing mental ill-health or know someone who is. Remember, it’s okay not to be okay, and help is always available.
Please watch the ‘trailer’ below – there are links to the full videos at the bottom of this post.
Thank you to everyone who took part in this important video series, and to Fischer Fixings UK for creating them and allowing us to share them.
Why don’t men talk?
As with so many things, the reasons are numerous, varied and individual to each person. But, as we saw in our blog on addressing the stigma that surrounds mental health, they include:
- Pride.
- Stereotypes, out-dated perceptions or misconceptions.
- Self-stigmatisation.
- Lack of positive role models within their networks.
- Lack of proximity to support networks.
- Lack of knowledge/education about mental health.
- Culture – in terms of work, sociocultural and/or religious.
- Workforce dynamics.
- Practical barriers in the workplace.
- Language.
For full details on the above points, please read our blog:
How to address the stigma that surrounds mental health
Breaking the culture of silence
Could it be as simple as, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” (MK Gandhi)?
It seems oversimplistic, but what if it is that simple? We know that the silence around mental health comes from the stigma that surrounds it. The stigma that we, as humans, have created. So, why can’t we (whatever our gender) be the solution? Working together we have the power to overcome the barriers to normalising conversations about, and seeking support for, mental ill-health.
Whilst we are only individuals, most of us will be part of a community, be that work, family, friends, neighbourhoods. Maybe we, working together with our networks, can build a movement for lasting and impactful change.
If we believe we can be the change, then how would that work? Here are some steps that could help you to embed it in your organisation (find out more in our workplace culture blog):
- Lead by example – this is not just a call to action for those in managerial or senior leadership positions, although that is a vital component in leading and embedding change, but it is about every member of the team having the confidence to share their own experiences and encouraging others to do the same.
- Reward exemplary behaviour – for example, support those that share their mental health journeys, who volunteer to become a Mental Health First Aider , deliver a toolbox talk during a team meeting, and/or those who embody the organisation’s values and culture.
- Call out inappropriate behaviour and negative language. If you see it, or hear it, then you need to explain how the activity and words are reinforcing the stigma and preventing people from seeking support. In the moment, it might not be the best time to point it out, but it’s important not to let it go unchecked.
- Educate, train and empower employees to spot the signs, start conversations, make reasonable work adjustments (if appropriate) and signpost support. Find out how Mates in Mind can help you with this:
Training
Resources
Become a Supporter
- Provide support by putting in place a mental health policy, providing relevant templates e.g., stress risk assessments, and ensure support is available through HR, MHFAs, EAPs, resources from charities like us, and support services like the Samaritans (call 116 123).
- Assess – to know how far you’ve come, and to measure the impact of your work, you need to survey your teams at the start of the process, and then continue asking questions going forward, to ensure you are making progress and that what you are doing is effective in creating positive change.
For full details on the above points, please read our blog:
How to optimise mental wellbeing through workplace culture
Supporters, please log in to the portal to:
- Complete your annual assessment.
- Access your exclusive resources (including guides, toolbox talks, posters and more).
- Download templates (e.g., policies; assessments etc.).
- Book places on our series of monthly peer support webinars to provide MHFAs, HR and Wellbeing Managers with the skills and confidence to support the mental health of colleagues.
Supporter Log in
If you are not already one of our Supporters, please find out more about how we can help you to build positive mental health in and through work:
Become a Supporter
Next Steps
So, having read this blog, what will you do differently?
If you are an employee, why not share this article with your manager and colleagues.
If it has resonated with you, it might be helpful to them too, and you may also be interested in our:
‘How to optimise your mental wellbeing’ blogs
Stress awareness video series
If you are a contractor, SME or sole trader, it may be worth investigating whether your main contractor provides mental health support and if it can be extended to you. It may help to point them to this page on our website:
Champions Programme
If you are an employer, please speak to us about how you can build positive mental health in and through work. We work with organisations to provide the skills, clarity and confidence to raise awareness, improve understanding, implement effective interventions and address the stigma of mental ill-health. This includes empowering all workers (including those directly employed, as well as those working in supply chains) through providing them with the information, education and advice that develops their competence and confidence to look after their own and their colleagues’ mental health, so that no-one reaches crisis point and good mental health becomes everyone’s responsibility. Find out more about our work in:
Construction
Transport and Logistics
Farming and Agriculture
Apprenticeships
Conclusion
In this blog we have aimed to demonstrate that the stigma that surrounds mental health is not founded in truth, and therefore there is no reason for the culture of silence to persist.
If you value our blogs, and are able to, please:
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Remember, you are not alone, there is always someone to talk to or somewhere to find additional help.
You can watch the Fischer Fixing videos in full here: