Over the summer, I started an extra role as a Mental Wellbeing Coach with the Performance Habits project at the University of York.

So far, it’s been really rewarding to support other men in taking practical steps that improve their well-being. Using a super simple model, encouraging small behavioural changes, like focusing on activities that matter or managing stress and worry differently, has a noticeable impact. It has also helped me to think about my own routines and how I spend my time and energy balancing my work, commitments, interests and wellbeing.

Alongside my main role, it has been great being part of a project that gives men space to reflect, be listened to, and make positive changes for themselves.

“It can be a lonely place, sometimes being in your own head a little bit and not knowing what is right and what is wrong. When things aren’t going so well, you always need something to fall back on and I think them habits and being consistent, helps you mentally get through things a lot easier.”

“I think out of all the different therapies that are available men are most likely to engage with [the programme] because it is something that they will not feel stigmatised by just discussing their behaviours and their activities.”

“My coach called a spade a spade, and I’m also very much like that, I can relate to that. And I think we just had a… he could almost kind of sense what I wanted to say but help me get it out.”

“It’s really relaxed, it’s not clinical. It sort of puts the onus on yourself to make the changes and it’s quite individualized, so even though it’s a structured programme, it’s really to adapt to your lifestyle.”

“It wasn’t like counselling, it didn’t look like a ‘sit and talk to a counsellor and someone will fix all your problems for you’. It was more the fact that it was a tool that, even when the programme was finished, it was something that if it worked for me, I had nothing to lose, I might as well give it a go and see if it’s something that will help me and work.”