Two years ago, one of my close friends took his own life. At just 25, he was suddenly no longer with us. As a young male, I know firsthand how hard it can be to talk openly about mental health. The default response is always, “Yep, all good,” even when you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.

What I did not understand until it was too late is how dangerous that mentality can be. Even if you feel ok today, someone next to you might be fighting a silent battle. You cannot assume you know what your mates are going through if you never ask the question properly. A quick “How are you going?” in passing is not enough. Sometimes you need to stop, sit with them, and genuinely ask, “Are you really ok?” And you need to be prepared to listen.

Just as importantly, we need to get better at speaking honestly about our own emotions. Being open does not make you weak. In fact, it gives the people around you permission to do the same, and that openness can be the circuit breaker that saves a life.

I am doing Movember to raise awareness of this silent struggle many men face. I want men to know that it is ok to let your guard down, it is ok to admit when things are not right, and it is ok to reach out for support. The people in your life genuinely want to hear you and would rather have an uncomfortable conversation today than a tragedy tomorrow.

If you are able, please consider donating to our Movember link (Here) and supporting this incredibly important cause. Together, we can help change the culture around men’s mental health—one conversation at a time.