10/10/2026
PLASE READ…IT’S OKAY TO SPEAK UP, EVEN AS A MAN.
Today, on World Mental Health Day, I wanted to share something incredibly personal that’s taken me quite a while to feel comfortable talking about.
Over the past few months, I’ve been struggling with PTSD, severe anxiety, depression and nightmares that have had a massive impact on my everyday life. I’m still struggling to sleep properly, constantly feeling exhausted and having days where I genuinely don’t feel like myself anymore.
I’ve recently started therapy through Birmingham Healthy Minds, and although it’s still early days, it has already started helping me understand what I’m going through. The nightmares haven’t stopped, and I’m still having very difficult days&night, but I’m trying to move forward.
One thing that’s really encouraged me recently is seeing other men speaking openly about their experiences with PTSD and mental health. Hearing their stories has made me realise that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being vulnerable or admitting you’re struggling. As men, I think there’s still far too much pressure to be strong, hide our emotions and just get on with things. But we shouldn’t have to suffer in silence or feel embarrassed about asking for help.
Being a man doesn’t mean you have to pretend everything is okay. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, and talking about your mental health doesn’t make you any less of a man. I’m not sharing this for sympathy. I’m sharing it because I want to help raise awareness and hopefully encourage someone else to feel comfortable speaking up or ask for help.
Please check on your friends, family and the people who always seem happy. You never truly know what someone else might be going through. It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be vulnerable. Most importantly, it’s okay to ask for help.
If sharing my experience helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s been worth it. Thank you to everyone who’s checked in and supported me. It genuinely means more than you realise.
Let’s make it normal for men to talk about their mental health, not just when it’s too late, but while they’re here and need someone to listen. I’m still struggling, but I’m getting help, I’m trying, and I’m not giving up. ❤️
If you need someone to talk to:
Birmingham Healthy Minds – 0121 301 2525
Birmingham Mind – 0121 262 3555
Samaritans – 116 123 (free, day or night)
I’ve opened up about things I’ve never really spoken about publicly before. The pictures tell my story in much more detail, and I’d genuinely appreciate you taking the time to read through them.
