Real Men don't talk, right?

The statistics for male suicides in the #NorthEast of #England are the highest in the country, research suggests that's because Men don't access #Support as much as women do.

This is possibly because of the #Stigma that "Real Men" don't show weakness and to talking about their feelings and emotions is seen as weakness.

Well what a crock of shit...I'm a 6'2" Tattooed skinhead War #Veteran and one of the hardest things I've done is talk about what was going on for me deep inside.

I have danced with the devil more than once over the years trying to cope with:

• Divorce

• Bankruptcy

• Unemployment

• Homelessness

• PTSD

• Loneliness

• Isolation

• Loss of all friends and Family

• 2 years County Court battle (self representing) fighting for my kids

• Bereavement

• Loss of Identity

• Suicidal

• and more

If it wasn't for me having counselling and speaking out about how I was struggling to cope myself then I wouldn't be here today which in turn means I wouldn't be here for my kids.

This is one of the main reason I became a Counsellor myself, so I can help others and save lives and sat here today I feel so lucky to be one of the ones that has survived, I no longer have suicidal thoughts, I have a great relationship with the kids, I'm married again and have a very happy life, I'm living proof that talking helps and real men aren't afraid to talk about their feelings, so the only thing for me left to say to you #Men out there is:

What you afraid of? Lets Talk Man to Man, it's JustJack after-all.