NHS Somerset workers talk to Movember about mental health

During Movember, two men who work for the NHS said opening up about their mental health had changed their lives.

John Staple and Dairine Keating work at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and are struggling with their mental health.

The charity Movember is encouraging men to grow beards throughout November to raise money for men’s health projects, and men have taken it as an opportunity to speak out about their experiences.

Mr Staple said: “Mental health is different for everyone and it’s important to talk and share – if it helps just one person then I’ll be happy.”

“Over the last year, my level has gone from a pretty low level to a very high level,” he added.

He said that after the death of his mother-in-law and then the death of his friend, he felt that life was not going the way he wanted.

He gradually found joy in DIY and gardening again.

“You have to help yourself, and that will allow others to help you too,” Mr. Staple said.

Mr Keating recently launched the Men’s Network to support people like Mr Staple at the trust.

He said he was bullied a lot as a child after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“When I returned to school, I was much shorter than most of the boys in my class, so unfortunately I was bullied a lot,” he explained.

“Several times, boys from high school stood up for me because they understood what I was going through.

“I think that has influenced me in some ways – I now feel the need to protect the vulnerable in my life.”

As part of the Men’s Network, they introduced a tool shed where members can share and borrow spare tools and discuss their common DIY interests with each other.

“I’m fully aware of my emotions and I’m not afraid to show it – I’ll cry over the stupidest thing,” he said.