Sometimes, the right time to do something is always now.
One Million Steps to work with #HowAreYouDad and Fathers Reaching Out founder/author Mark Williams to build Fathers’ and Men’s mental health week into 100-day Challenge
Father’s Mental Health. Men’s Mental Health. Over the last few years, the news stories keep coming. It almost seems pointless to bring up statistics again when news stories break every day.
But they are worth looking at:
- 76% of suicides involve men and it is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK.
- 1 in 10 dads suffer from Postnatal Depression and anxiety in new dads is even higher.
- Reports suggest up to 38% of new dads are worried about their mental health
We know that discrimination and the stigma of mental health makes it difficult for people of any gender to seek help or even talk about the problems they are facing
For men, it is a deeper, more embedded, taboo subject. And silence is a road many are forced to take.
Mark Williams, author and founder of Fathers’ Mental Health, and I, Ranjit Ghoshal Founder of One Million Steps, first met each other at the start of our journeys to build social good businesses.
Over the years, we have both had our fair share of setbacks and heartbreaks.
Each time we picked ourselves up and pushed forward again.
And we kept speaking to each other about the issue of fathers’, and men’s, mental health and the importance of physical activity in improving lives.
Mark was clear on his mission of campaigning for recognition of the issues, early diagnosis intervention, more support, how as a society we must change the language we use, and for men and fathers to be more involved in designing the services that they so badly need
As the founder of the Million Steps Challenge, I began to understand the huge mental health benefits of physical activity and walking. I will put my hands up and say that walking was critical in me picking myself up and starting again.
On two occasions, when the setbacks left me feeling completely lost, isolated and heartbroken; it was walking, lots of it, in the Brecon Beacons, and at every opportunity I had, that pulled me through.
It was then I realised we needed to add an introduction to mindfulness to complement a walking challenge; to make it a 100-day journey of health and wellbeing
Mark and I knew our mission goals were aligned in their own way. And we kept talking about how one day we would work together.
There was always a reason it was not the right time. Last week we spoke.
And we decided sometimes, the right time to do something is always now.
We both believe that intervention and support must be there, but we both also know that every day counts and physical activity, for many, can be hugely beneficial.
Working together, we hope to build a Fathers’ and Men’s Mental Health Week into the 100-day Million Steps Challenge, to raise awareness of the #HowAreYouDad campaign and to support men and their friends and family.
Because, this is not just for men. It is for anyone who wishes to support men. It is also for anyone, of any gender, who wants to support a friend, family member or colleague.
#howareyoudad?
Such a simple question.
Such a powerful start.
To find out more, please visit:
Mark Williams is also the author of two books on fathers’ mental health Available now
