November marks the beginning of Men’s Health Awareness Month, with 19^th November also being International Men’s Day – an annual event dedicated to highlighting the contributions of men and boys in their respective communities, but also raising awareness of issues faced by men physically and mentally in society today.

Those who know me, are perhaps aware of my ongoing battle, living with a chronic mental illness. And whilst some days are harder than others, I will remain steadfast in taking action to do whatever I can to make mental health and wellbeing a priority. Unfortunately societal myths and stigmas surrounding mental health, wellbeing (and illness) thrive to this day for a variety of reasons, but there is no denying the incomparable universality in which it affects us ALL; transcending age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender and so on. 

Yet I still can’t help but question: why do men still make up approx. 75% of suicides in the UK, are half as likely to seek help (when compared to women) and none of it is being spoken about? 

Last November, I had taken part in a sponsored Rise Against Suicide Walk for men’s mental health charity HUMEN, for which I chose to walk 4.657 miles on an early Sunday morning to raise money in honour the 4,657 men who had died by suicide in 2020. So, it should come as no surprise I will be taking part again this year. However I was disheartened to hear the distance had to be extended, with the male suicide rate for the last 12 months increasing by 500 … that’s 14 men a day!

Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said: “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”

Yes, it is a conversation requires incredible sensitivity, for it remains a topic by no means easy to address, but it is crucial we all start doing our part. Because it wasn't just 5,000 men lost to suicide... they were fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, friends, colleagues. And whilst we can’t always see the battle the men in our respective lives are facing, perhaps by BEING the kind of help that is needed, giving them a chance to talk about how they are *really* doing and be listened to, can make a difference.

Whilst the official Rise Against Suicide 2022 Walk itself is taking place in the early morning of Sunday 4^th December over 5151 metres … I’ll be doing things a little differently .

My pledge is every Sunday morning (from now until and including the 4^th December), I will be doing my own Rise Against Suicide Walk. But rather than meters, I will be walking a 5.151 mile route, along the River Thames crossing every Bridge from Westminister to Tower Bridge.

I will be looking to raise at least £250, which is enough for 100 men to access the help they need through HUMEN - a men's mental health charity, looking to improve and maintain men's mental health through campaigns and the HUMEN Space; an anonymous preventative and non-clinical space for men to talk, to listen, to connect and ultimately provide an accessible solution to prevent men from suffering in silence and dying too young.

Anything you can give as a donation to help me reach this target will be greatly appreciated