November is Men’s Mental Health Month — a time to open up the conversation about men and therapy. Despite high rates of distress and suicide, many men still hold back from seeking support. This article explores the stigma, cultural expectations, and quiet courage behind men’s experiences of therapy, offering an empathic, hopeful look at how talking can truly help.

We often say “I’m so OCD” about little quirks, but OCD is much more than tidiness. For the 1 in 100 people in the UK living with it, intrusive thoughts and compulsions can dominate daily life. Awareness begins with understanding the burden, listening without judgment, and recognising the power of compassion and support.