After a month dedicated to men’s health and mental health awareness, the hosts of the popular grief podcast Keep It Grief are urging men to stop hiding their emotions, warning that too many are still afraid to admit when they’re struggling.
In this week’s episode, hosts Jonny Meah and Neil Collins have a frank conversation about why so many men still find it difficult to talk about grief, loss and mental health – and why opening up could save lives.
The discussion follows an emotional email from listener Kieran, who lost his mother to bowel cancer when he was 22. He tells the hosts that, while well-meaning people constantly tell him what he “should” do, all he really wants is permission to feel the loss of his mum.
Jonny says too many men still feel they have to protect everyone else from their emotions.
“If you’ve got a brother, a husband or a mate who you think is struggling because of grief or anything mental health related, talk to them. They may not find it easy, but we need to talk more as men.”
The episode also tackles the lingering stigma around therapy and medication.
Neil, whose fiancée Lottie died suddenly, reveals he has seen a therapist for around 15 years and openly discusses taking antidepressants.
“There’s nothing wrong with them. They’re just another form of medication. They don’t work for everyone, but they work for me,” he says.
The pair explore why men often default to saying they’re “fine”, even when they are not, and how traditional expectations of being the “strong one” can leave grieving men isolated.
Responding directly to Kieran, Jonny says one of the biggest lessons he has learned is not to suppress grief simply because other people are uncomfortable with it.
“People kept telling Kieran what he should be doing. But sometimes you don’t need advice. You just need permission to feel the loss. You don’t need to censor your grief. Just feel it.”
Jonny adds that grief changes the way people experience the world and there should be less pressure to hide it.
“It’s okay not to be okay isn’t just a slogan. If talking more helps even one man realise he doesn’t have to go through grief alone, then these conversations are worth having.”
Keep It Grief is a weekly podcast in which various celebs have already appeared including First Dates’ star Cici Coleman, Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton, Drag Race star Kitty Scott-Klaus, and is sponsored by leading end-of-life admin provider, The Estate Registry.