I hope you’re all doing frightfully well. November is well and truly in full swing, and so is Movember. I recently learned that part of the reason Movember was created was to raise awareness for men's mental health - I always thought it was just an excuse for people to try out really cool, new looks. Having gone through my own ups and downs, and currently supporting a family member who ended up in the hospital following a breakdown, I’ve always been a big advocate for talking openly about mental health.

A lot of you know me as the "dancing man," the energetic (annoying?) guy who bounces around the office with a smile on his face, talking absolute nonsense. While that’s all still true, I think it’s also important to share that I, too, have had and still have my struggles with mental health.

In my late teens and early 20s, I experienced some pretty heavy anxiety - which I think a lot of people face at that age - and it’s something I still deal with today. What helped me then, and still helps now, is talking about it. Thankfully, I have an incredible support network who encouraged me to talk about it and also give therapy a go, something I hadn't really considered before. But I went ahead with it. Like with any new experience, I had serious doubts in the beginning, unsure if it was for me. But I persevered and it quickly became one of the most life-changing decisions I’ve ever made. Being taught about emotions I wasn't familiar with, having the freedom to talk openly with someone, and learning that often it’s just a matter of shifting perspective - helped immensely. After 18 months, I went on my merry way on my own. My experience in therapy was by no means a "cure," but it certainly was a powerful tool in dealing with later stresses.

During and after COVID, however, I was hit with a wave of new emotions that took me to a much darker place. It was difficult to deal with but I knew from my past experience that, despite feeling like the hardest thing in the world, I needed to pluck up the courage to speak to someone about it. And it is. When you're in that rut, finding the courage to reach out feels truly terrifying.

Fast forward to now, and I’ve been seeing a therapist for the past two years. Like the therapist I saw 10 years ago, they have completely changed my life (for the better).

The reason I’m sharing this now is not for sympathy or to convince and preach to everyone to try therapy because it worked for me (it’s certainly not one-size-fits-all). I just want to make it a little easier for people to talk about this topic, which has traditionally been taboo. We all go through personal struggles, and while the world has made huge strides in mental health awareness, it’s still crucial for us to normalize these conversations.

Everyone has their ups and downs, and whatever the size of the battles you’re facing, the best advice I ever received: you don’t have to do it alone.

Lots of love, 

Aidan 

P.s. Click here to see a useful list of resources available for you at work.