Each November, Movember shines a spotlight on men’s health – and this includes mental health, an area where the statistics are deeply concerning.
A recent survey by The Priory Group found that 77% of men have experienced symptoms of anxiety, stress, or depression. Yet, 40% of them have never spoken to anyone about how they feel.
This silence has serious consequences. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 4,506 men died by suicide in England and Wales in 2023. Men account for around three-quarters of all suicides, and suicide remains the leading cause of death among men under 45.
Why men don’t talk about mental health
From a young age, many boys are taught to suppress emotion – hearing phrases like “man up,” “toughen up,” or “boys don’t cry.” These messages encourage men to disconnect from their feelings, bury them deep, and “just get on with things.”
By adulthood, this emotional disconnection can make it hard for men to even recognise what they feel. Instead, distress may appear as:
- Anger, irritability, or frustration
- Overworking or compulsive exercise or gaming
- Physical tension, such as a tight chest or insomnia
- Risk-taking behaviour or addictions (for example, gambling, pornography, or substance use)
These patterns often mask underlying anxiety, stress, or depression – leaving men isolated and untreated until a crisis point.
Traditional ways of helping
Talking therapies such as counselling or CBT can be highly effective, but they often take time to show results. Many men prefer practical, action-focused forms of support – such as peer groups, walking clubs, or initiatives like Andy’s Man Club, where conversations about mental wellbeing are gently normalised.
If someone you know is struggling, encourage healthy routines, regular social contact, and small steps toward opening up. But recognise that some men remain reluctant to see a GP or therapist, even when they need help.
A new way forward: BWRT
BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT) is a relatively new therapeutic approach, developed by Terence Watts in 2011. It offers a different route to recovery – one that doesn’t rely heavily on talking about painful memories.
BWRT is based on neuroscience and works with the brain’s automatic response system, the part that reacts before conscious thought. It helps to “recode” distressing emotional triggers, so the brain no longer produces anxiety, fear, or panic when faced with reminders of past stress.
The approach is:
- Fast-acting: noticeable results often within a few sessions
- Non-invasive: no need to relive or discuss traumatic experiences in detail
- Evidence-informed: grounded in current neuroscience and psychological theory
Real stories
While the statistics paint a stark picture, it’s the personal stories that truly show the impact BWRT can have on men’s lives.
Dave’s story
“For a number of years I’d been living on and off with anxiety. I found myself in a particularly bad spot with it, so much so that it was affecting life and work more than ever.”
After several attempts at other therapies, he tried BWRT. “For me BWRT helped me to feel more in control of the feelings I was having by highlighting the thought patterns that contributed to it. Showing me that it wasn’t a ‘me problem’ but instead a how my brain was reacting to stimuli that was the issue.”
“What I particularly liked about BWRT is that it felt immediate. From the first session I began to feel positive and like it was going to make a difference”
“I’m sure anyone with a condition like anxiety knows, this isn’t going to disappear overnight. However, the tools I’ve taken away from a few short BWRT sessions have helped me to get to a place where anxiety is melting into the background. At times now I feel I have effectively rewired my brain with this, which is such a strange feeling when I think about it.”
Luke’s story
After his relationship ended the week before completing on a house purchase, Luke began experiencing panic attacks and anger outbursts. He had tried several forms of therapy with little success. Following BWRT, he reported feeling calmer, reconnected with friends, and was performing well at work.
“Transformed!” he said after his second and final session – and two months later, “I’m in a very different place to when we worked together.”
Finding help
If you think you or someone you know could benefit from BWRT, you can find a registered practitioner via the BWRT website.
If you or someone close to you feels suicidal, please reach out:
- Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7, free in the UK)
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): 0800 58 58 58
- Mind: 0300 123 3393
Rachael Lewis is a chartered coaching psychologist and registered BWRT practitioner. She works with business leaders and their senior teams and is passionate about bringing out the best in people at work.