Men’s Health Week 2024
As the years pass, we seem to promote the same mental health stories… and it’s true to say that there has been movement (but is that enough?)
So this year I’m going to write about me, it’s rare, it’s not in my comfort zone but maybe it’ll be cathartic… maybe I’ll delete this before I pluck up the courage to hit post (but right now it’s being done in the way a ritual would be performed).
I’m guilty of going against the grain of everything I preach, I’m guilty of it every day!Every day in passing, I am asked ‘how are you?’ And everyday I respond with what I think I should say/what I think people want to hear, I give a jovial greeting, crack a upbeat joke, smile and deflect probing questions to save me being honest. Does it help, probably not but it’s my routine now, I’m protecting myself!
I’m a very private person, transparent as they come and would give you my last breath if we were in one of those shark movies surviving on one tank of air… but also self preservation and concern over the way people see me is always at the forefront of my mind.
Something happened this year that rocked my world, shook everyone I love and gave a pretty firm explanation point to my life. That’s not my issue really, bad stuff happens to good people all the time but it became a thing. People were told, they found out, and not that I am ungrateful for their kindness and concern but I felt I had let myself down, weakened the way the world views me. My doctors asked how I was? My rehabilitation team asked if I was ok? The consultants asked if I was coping and every time I felt pressure to lie. I’d tell them I was fine even though I knew in private I cried every day, I wouldn’t look in the mirror as my scars made me hate my appearance and I lost all confidence.
This isn’t a woe-be-post, it really isn’t. It’s me saying that I know what I do everyday, and I know that when the time is right I will ask for help… but on my terms. That day will inevitably come, the day I can’t lie anymore.
So, for those who have committed this far , I want everyone out there to know that help is there. Whether it be an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on, there are professionals that advise or friends that pour the wine and pass you the tissues! Or me, if you can’t face someone close then my DM’s are always open!! The first step is the hardest but also the most beneficial.
Don’t be like me, don’t hide what you are going through… take that first step and the support you need will be there! And if someone reaches out, please spare the time.
#menshealth #2024 #mentalhealth #support #talk #sodexo #beawareofthequietones
Content Marketing Manager
2wIt was an honor to receive your story, thank you for sharing your journey, Paul - truly inspiring! 🙌 I need to try this 75 HARD challenge! 😅💥