Breaking the Silence: The Male Suicide Crisis

In this episode of Leading Boldly, we sit down with Steve Whittle, a mental health advocate and founder of a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide. Drawing from his own experiences with depression, ADHD, and PTSD, Steve is on a mission to break the silence around men’s mental health and provide real, actionable solutions.

With men dying by suicide at three times the rate of women, Steve and Matt explore the reasons behind this crisis, the role of language in mental health conversations, and the steps we can take to create meaningful change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why men struggle to seek help and how stigma plays a role

✅ The impact of language on mental health and suicide prevention

✅ How reframing mental health conversations helps men open up

✅ The emotional toll of suicide prevention work and the importance of self-care

✅ Practical strategies for organisations to support men’s mental well-being

Topics Covered:

1. The Male Suicide Crisis & Gender Differences

• Why men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women
• The key differences in how men and women approach mental health
• How societal expectations discourage men from seeking help

2. Reframing the Language & Approach

• Why phrases like "committed suicide" can be harmful
• How Steve’s charity reframes discussions to better connect with men
• The importance of focusing on life challenges rather than just mental illness

3. The Charity’s Mission & Partnerships

• Working with male-focused organizations to provide tailored solutions
• Training programs, resources, and practical tools for suicide prevention

4. Personal Impact & Self-Care

• The emotional challenges of suicide intervention work
• How Steve manages his own mental health while supporting others

5. Recommendations & Closing Thoughts

• Book: Be More Pirate – Sam Conniff Allende
• Song: Enjoy the Silence – Depeche Mode
• Framework: Working with Q Branch Consulting

Links & Resources

📌 Learn more about Steve’s charity: Website

📌 Support male mental health initiatives: Donate

Join the Conversation

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