Because silence isn’t strength. It’s suffering.
Let me ask you something — when was the last time you had an honest conversation about how you’re really doing?
If you’re like a lot of the men I work with (and like I used to be), the answer is probably “not often.” We’re taught to push through, keep things to ourselves, and just “man up.” But behind the mask, so many of us are carrying deep pain — and it’s eating us alive.
I know, because I’ve been there too.
The Silent Struggles We Don’t Talk About
For years, I struggled with my mental health. Depression, anxiety, addiction — all of it. I didn’t talk about it, I didn’t ask for help. I thought I had to figure it out on my own. I leaned heavily on alcohol to cope, thinking it was helping me manage the pressure, the pain, and the constant noise in my head.
It worked — until it didn’t.
That’s when things got dark. I felt lost, ashamed, and disconnected from everything and everyone that mattered. But that experience is also what led me here — to this work, and to this message I’m sharing with you now.
Why Men’s Health Week Matters
June is Men’s Health Week, and while a lot of the focus is usually on physical health, I want to shine a light on what often gets ignored: mental health and addiction.
We’ve got a crisis on our hands. Men are far more likely to suffer in silence, and the consequences can be devastating. Substance use, breakdowns, isolation, even suicide — all because we were never taught how to say, “I’m not okay.”
And the silence? It’s costing lives.
The Real Cost of Bottling It All Up
When we keep everything buried, it doesn’t disappear — it festers. Maybe you’ve noticed yourself drinking more than usual, snapping at the people you love, or waking up with that heavy feeling in your chest that just won’t shift.
These aren’t signs of weakness. They’re signs that something inside you needs attention. And ignoring it doesn’t make you stronger — it just makes the fall harder when it comes.
I know how hard it is to admit things aren’t okay. But I also know the power of that moment when you finally stop pretending and start talking. That’s where healing begins.
What You Can Do This Week (and Beyond)
If you’re reading this and something inside you is nodding along — maybe quietly, maybe with a lump in your throat — then here’s what I want you to know: you’re not alone. And you don’t have to do this on your own.
Here are a few things you can try this Men’s Health Week:
Talk to someone who’s been through it: Someone who gets what it’s like to be in that hole — and knows how to climb out.
You Deserve More Than Just Surviving
If I’ve learned anything from my own journey, it’s this: real strength isn’t about hiding what you’re going through. It’s about facing it, feeling it, and taking steps toward healing — even if they’re small at first.
The truth is, things can get better. I’ve seen it in my own life, and in the lives of the men I’ve had the privilege of working with. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being real, and choosing to show up for yourself, one day at a time.
If any of this resonates with you, I’m here.
You can reach out to me directly on LinkedIn, or visit alexcrouchcounselling.com.au to learn more about the work I do.
You don’t have to carry this alone. Not anymore.
— Alex