‘’Building Community Resilience & Empowerment’’
Theme: “Speak Up, Not Man Up: Seeking Support & Building Healthy Habits by Normalising Mental Health Conversations“
Introduction
The Men’s Mental Health Conference 2025 brought together attendees to challenge outdated stereotypes of masculinity and promote open discussions about mental well-being. The theme, “Speak Up, Not Man Up,” reinforced the crucial message that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The conference emphasised the need to move beyond traditional notions of masculinity by encouraging men to speak openly about their struggles, build daily habits that support well-being, and create space for honest conversations. Whether checking in on a friend, speaking to a professional, or simply showing up for oneself, every action contributes to breaking the stigma. Together, we can normalise mental health conversations and build a stronger, healthier future for all.
Key Discussions & Presentations
- Community Health & Wellbeing HUB
A video presentation showcased the HUB’s initiatives, demonstrating its role in facilitating mental health and wellbeing programmes for men. - Men 2 Men Project (Tony, ACRE)
This presentation highlighted the importance of peer support networks in addressing men’s mental health struggles. There is a Men2Men group and open to any men to join. - Mental Health & Faith (Dr. Muruiki Karangi)
Dr. Karangi explored the connection between faith, lifestyle changes, and mental well-being, offering practical strategies for managing mental health. - Advance Care Planning (Collins Masiri)
Masiri discussed the significance of proactive planning for mental and emotional health, particularly in times of crisis. - Research Insights (Saffiyah, BHFT)
The BHFT research team shared on current research being done by the NHS and the Reading university. - Spiritual Care & Mental Health (Pastor Joshua Wilson)
Pastor Wilson spoke on the role of spiritual guidance in mental health recovery, drawing from his experience as a chaplain. He offered his support to families in the criminal justice system who need help. - Men’s Health & Domestic Abuse (James Mugo)
Mugo addressed the often-overlooked issue of men experiencing domestic abuse and its impact on mental health. - Interconnected Mental Health (Prudence Mwanza)
Mwanza emphasised that men’s mental health is everyone’s business, advocating for a collaborative approach to well-being. We should never assume, ignore even the littlest of signs. Be curious, ask questions and you could just save a life. - RBC’s Response to Recommendations (Tariq) Tariq outlined the Reading Borough’s commitments to implementing the CPAR1 Men’s Mental Health recommendations.
Call to Action & Closing Remarks (Cecily)
Cecily concluded the conference with a powerful call to action, urging attendees to continue breaking the silence around men’s mental health. She encouraged practical steps such as checking in on peers, seeking professional help, and advocating for systemic change.
Key Takeaways
- Mental health matters: It is as vital as physical health, and seeking support is a courageous step.
- Challenge stereotypes: Replace “manning up” with speaking up to foster healthier attitudes.
- Small steps make a difference: Daily habits and honest conversations can transform well-being.
- Community is key: Peer support, faith, and cultural understanding all play crucial roles.
- Collaboration is essential: Progress requires effort from individuals, organisations, and policymakers.
Conclusion
The conference successfully created a supportive and empowering environment, reinforcing the message that mental health is a shared responsibility. By challenging stereotypes and promoting actionable strategies, the event paved the way for a healthier future for men and their communities.
“Let today be the day you choose to speak up, show up, and support others. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for all.”
Men’s Mental Health Support: Speak Up, Not Man Up Building Healthy Habits by Normalising Mental Health Conversations.
June is men’s mental health awareness month, but we know men’s mental health is women’s mental health and everybody’s business every day. Below, Joseph Wafula, a dedicated community ambassador and health champion, says it plainly his perception of men’s mental health month.
It’s Men’s Mental Health Month this month. And I have to say it plainly: I think it’s a ridiculous concept. This may be an unpopular opinion, but please bear with me.
Mental health doesn’t belong to any one gender, one race, or one identity. Men’s mental health is not separate from women’s mental health. Black mental health is not separate from white mental health. Young or older, gay or straight mental health does not discriminate, and neither should we. All of it matters. All of it deserves to be seen, heard, supported, and understood. Not as isolated categories but as part of a shared human reality.
Creating separate months for different groups might seem helpful on the surface, but often, it becomes another tactic of divide and conquer. Another box ticked. Another moment of spotlight, followed by silence. Separating us by gender, race, identity it fractures the bigger picture: that mental health is a human issue.
This separatist approach creates more segregation rather than the all-inclusive unity we claim to aim for. It is the divisive us vs. them mentality.
And it’s not just about men’s mental health. It’s the same with things like Black History Month. What happens when the month ends? Do we stop talking about Black history? Similarly, are we to stop caring about men’s mental health until next year?
These short bursts of awareness can feel performative, shallow, and disconnected from the real work that needs to be done every day.
If it’s Men’s Mental Health Month now, then what we just forget about it next month? Let it sit untouched until the calendar tells us it matters again? What about Suicide Awareness Month? Are we only supposed to care about suicide for one month out of the year? These are real lives. Real pain. Real healing. And they deserve more than a scheduled window of attention.
Mental health is not a campaign. It’s not a calendar event. It’s not a trending topic. It’s something we live with. It’s something we work on. Every day and should be everybody’s business.
And if we truly care about mental health, we must talk about the environment. Because a healthy mind depends on a healthy environment. Concrete jungles, pollution, digital noise, poisons in our food, water, air, and medicines. Corporations make billions in profits from poisoning the population and the destruction of our environment. While we sit back and pay the price these things chip away at our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. But stillness, clean nature, wild space, building genuine relationships, and taking positive action these things restore us, so let’s invest in them. We are not separate from nature. We are nature. And every step we take away from it is a step away from ourselves. So yes, raise awareness. Talk about it. But don’t wait for a specific month to care. Don’t wait for permission to start taking positive actions. And don’t let the system turn something so vital into a marketing theme. This isn’t about men or women or any of these other divides and conquer tactics.
This is about people. This is about the natural world. This is about us all. Not just for a month. But an everyday focus. This isn’t just about awareness. This is about accountability. Let’s stop waiting for permission. The time is now, and the responsibility is ours.
Joseph Silvanos Wafula.
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