5 Things Every Man Needs to Hear — with the Mental Health Foundation
- Tim
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Earlier in October, we partnered with the Mental Health Foundation for a special episode of Man vs Mind to mark World Mental Health Day (10 October) — and it turned out to be one of the most powerful conversations we’ve ever recorded.
We sat down with Mark Rowland, the Foundation’s Chief Executive, to talk about why men find it so hard to ask for help. What followed was one of those rare interviews that stays with you long after the mics are off — raw, personal, and deeply human.
Mark shared his own story of loss and the moment that led him to dedicate his life to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. He also gave us five pieces of advice that every man — and everyone who cares about men — should hear.
1. Have the conversation with yourself first
Before you talk to anyone else, Mark said, you need to learn how to talk to yourself.
“The first step is to tell yourself what’s happening and put it into words. You don’t have to judge or minimise it — just name it.”
Men are experts at brushing off their emotions: “It’s nothing,” “I’m fine,” “Others have it worse.” But recognising and naming what you’re feeling is the first act of courage. It’s how you stop living on autopilot and start taking control.
2. Take the least scary first step
For anyone ready to reach out, Mark advised choosing the easiest, safest place to start.
“Safety is a real priority. For your first time opening up, choose a space or a person that feels safe.”
That could be a mate, a family member, or even a support line or online chat. What matters is finding somewhere you can speak freely without fear of being judged. The first step doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be taken.
3. Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s the ticket to a better life
One of Mark’s most powerful insights was that vulnerability is the foundation of strong relationships.
“If you want a fulfilling and meaningful life, you’ve got to develop high-quality relationships — and the key to that is showing up as who you really are.”
He referenced a 75-year Harvard study that found close relationships are the biggest predictor of happiness, health, and longevity. The price of entry is honesty — not perfection.
4. Be intentional — not on autopilot
Mark challenged men to stop “sleepwalking through life.”
“Don’t stay on autopilot. Increase your tolerance for uncomfortable truths and be intentional about how you live.”
That means checking in with yourself regularly, not waiting until things break down. Mental health isn’t just about crisis prevention; it’s about self-awareness, maintenance, and honesty — the same way you’d look after your body or your car.
5. Helping starts with asking
One of the simplest but most powerful takeaways was that sometimes helping starts with asking.
“One way to open up about your own mental health is to be proactive about asking others about theirs.”
It doesn’t have to be dramatic — just “How are you sleeping?” or “How’s everything really going?” Those small, genuine check-ins can create the space for others (and yourself) to speak honestly.
As Mark said during our chat, “Vulnerability is the ticket.”
If there’s one thing to take away from this episode, it’s that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s proof you’re ready to grow.
Listen to Man vs Help now wherever you get your podcasts, and learn more about the Mental Health Foundation at mentalhealth.org.uk.
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