- Jake Starkey
Suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK, and men continue to face pressures that can make it harder to talk about how they are feeling or ask for help.
For many men, struggling can feel like something they should deal with alone. But looking after our mental health isn’t a sign of weakness, and we don’t have to wait until we’re in crisis before we start taking care of ourselves.
Bear Grylls knows a thing or two about resilience. As an adventurer, author and broadcaster, he has spent much of his life pushing himself beyond his comfort zone. But he believes resilience isn’t simply about enduring difficult situations. It’s something we can build every day by looking after our mental health, staying connected to others and developing habits that help us cope when life gets tough.
As part of our famous voices series, Bear shares what his own journey has taught him about mental wellbeing, connection and resilience.
What has your own journey taught you about looking after your mental wellbeing?
Looking after our mental health doesn’t have to start when things get difficult. For Bear, it’s about building habits into everyday life – getting outside, staying active, spending time with his dogs, eating well and making time for the things that help him feel grounded.
There’s no single way to look after your mental health. What works for one person might not work for another. The important thing is finding the things that help you feel well and making space for them in your life.
What helps you keep going when life feels particularly challenging?
You don’t have to carry difficult thoughts and feelings alone. Talking to someone you trust can make difficult times feel a little easier.
For some men, opening up can be difficult, particularly if they’re used to dealing with things on their own. Bear’s suggestion of walking and talking is a reminder that having a conversation doesn’t have to mean sitting down for a formal chat. Doing something you enjoy together, somewhere you feel comfortable, can make it easier to start talking.
If someone reading this is struggling today, what would you want them to hear?
For Bear, resilience is about finding the strength to keep going. But it’s not something we have to wait for a crisis to discover. It can be built through the small things we do every day to look after ourselves.
For him, that means making positive habits part of everyday life rather than waiting until things become difficult. Whether it’s getting outside, staying active or simply making time for the things that help us feel good, small changes can add up over time.
Bear’s book MIND FUEL explores this approach further, offering practical ideas for making positive mental-health habits part of everyday life.
You can also follow Bear Grylls on Instagram @beargrylls to hear more from him about his adventures, experiences and life beyond this interview.Â
Photo credit: Ruth Towell / Premier Christianity magazine
Explore the Men's Suicide Prevention Hub
If you’re looking for information about men’s mental health, suicide prevention, warning signs, risk factors or where to find support, visit our Men’s Suicide Prevention Hub.
The Hub brings together practical information and resources to help men, and the people around them, better understand the pressures that can affect mental health and suicide risk.
Hear more famous voices
Bear Grylls’ way of looking after his mental health is unique to what is best for him. Our famous voices series brings together different experiences and perspectives on men’s mental health, helping to challenge the idea that men should simply cope on their own.
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