Tears of Pain, 20+ Operations and Football was my Identity - Let's Talk: Men's Mental Health

Made me Suicidal, Why me?, Family Expectations - 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 many lads when their expectations of themselves or others is not met. The group rally around him as many of the subjects like suicide, addiction and family have been discussed in previous episodes so they have personal experiences. It's a great showing of a group who have now finished their journey together in the form of these episodes. 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", but rarely with a follow up of how. This format is the how.

Tears of Pain, 20+ Operations and Football was my Identity - Let's Talk: Men's Mental Health

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 the age groups. That was until a knee operation that started at age 11, and continued into his early 30's. Having his identity built up as this footballer, he didn't realise how much he struggled when that was taken away. Not knowing who he was, what his purpose was, and that's stuck with him in growing into an adult. Through Let's Talk and other therapy, he's recently been able to understand his thoughts, behaviours and become more comfortable with who he is now. A fascinating episode that many men will relate to. 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", but rarely with a follow up of how. This format is the how. Follow these individuals on their journey with more episodes coming soon.

Reviewing the Process, "We're Pregnant" and Accepting Vulnerability - Let's Talk: Men's Mental Health

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 absence from the previous session. You can see the bond is well and truly formed between the guys, which is great to see. There's a real difference. A lightness, compared to how they felt when they first stepped into the process. It's fair to say, Let's Talk: Men's Mental Health has positively impacted all of their lives. 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", but rarely with a follow up of how. This format is the how. Follow these individuals on their journey with more episodes coming soon

Growing From Pain, Mental Dark Rooms and Managing Pride - Let's Talk: Men's Mental Health

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 of under celebrating themselves out of fear of arrogance or bragging. They all relate. But in finding time to sit with the wins, celebrate them we all find new ways to grow. Collectively, there's a lot of power visible from Nick sharing his story. No more than in him. Body language, positioning and facial expression after the conversation moves away from the focus being on him. A trait common in men whereby we are comfortable in helping others, and not focussing on our own feelings. Another powerful piece from the Let's Talk group. 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", but rarely with a follow up of how. This format is the how. Follow these individuals on their journey with more episodes coming soon

Calling out the Group, Internalising Feelings and Tackling Abandonment - Let's Talk: Men's Mental Health

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 abandonment, family, therapy, feelings, emotions, tension and mental health, in particular men's mental health. The first time we see one of the guys break down emotionally, but it is clearly part of the process for Nick to get what he needs out of this conversation. The group continues to be smaller, which is new for the guys, but in particular Nick who feels let down by the missing ones. And this alone becomes the story of the session, and one which is broken down in relation to why Nick feels how he feels. 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", but rarely with a follow up of how. This format is the how. Follow these individuals on their journey with more episodes coming soon