In December 2023, Michael, a learning and development specialist from Trafford, faced an unexpected heart attack at the age of just 28.
As he navigated his physical recovery, Michael also embarked upon a profound mental health journey that has now inspired him to share his story and advocate for men’s mental health awareness, in honour of Men’s Health Week 2025 (09 – 15 June).
“I found myself struggling to cope mentally with what had happened. I could mask my feelings around others, but at home, I would often break down and cry,” Michael said.
“I had ups and downs with my mental health before, when I was a teenager, but I had always managed to get by. This time, it felt different.”
Michael started attending cardiac rehab classes at Trafford General Hospital, which included exercise and education sessions about life after a heart attack.
One day, during one of the group rehab sessions, a retired firefighter who had also had a heart attack shared his mental health struggles with the group.
“What he said resonated with me, and I realised I needed to speak to someone. After the session, I spoke to the cardiac nurse, Richard, who referred me to Trafford Talking Therapies,” Michael explained.
“I waited only about two or three weeks for my initial assessment with the Talking Therapies team, and soon after that, I started weekly sessions with my therapist, Bjorn.
“At the start I found it quite difficult to open up, but over time, I became more comfortable talking about my experiences. Bjorn showed me some grounding techniques which I could use in between sessions whenever I started to feel overwhelmed, and this was where things really started to turn around for the better,” he said.
Following his therapy with Bjorn, Michael began a more ‘intensive’ course of talking therapies with specialist, Karen, focusing on research-backed techniques to dig deeper into his past and current experiences to understand what he had been through, how it is impacting him, and to rewire his brain to think and react differently to stress triggers.
“One of my biggest triggers was ambulances. The sight of blue flashing lights would take me back to a dark place.
“Over time, with therapy, I learned to manage these triggers better. I can now watch TV shows with medical procedures and talk about my heart attack without breaking down,” Michael said.
“These sessions were incredibly helpful. I never felt rushed and could go at my own pace. Even when the anniversary of my heart attack came up, and I had to undergo more medical tests, the therapy sessions were adjusted to my needs, and I got through it.
“My partner has been incredibly supportive throughout this journey, and she has noticed a big improvement in my mental health.
“I feel more comfortable and confident now, even taking a first aid course at work where I could share my knowledge about heart attacks. If I ever need support again, I know how to access it, and I wouldn’t hesitate.”
Statistics show that, in the UK, only around 36% of all Talking Therapies service users are male.
A study by the Priory Group found that as many as 4 in 10 men in the UK won’t discuss their mental health with close friends, family, or a medical professional.
And sadly, every year, three times as many men as women die by suicide.
Michael has recognised the stigma around men’s mental health and the impact this had on his own recovery journey:
“I suppose often, particularly men, don’t feel that they can talk about these things. There’s expectation to be ‘tough’, whatever that means.
“Looking back on it now, I know that being a man played a big part in why I avoided getting help earlier. I didn’t feel comfortable showing vulnerability in front of others. Even in the early therapy sessions, I was scared of coming across this way to a complete stranger,” Michael explained.
“My friend group and I never spoke about mental health much either. My best friend and I only ever laughed it off. After I had been going to Talking Therapies for a few months, I remember telling him one day, ‘I’ve got therapy on Wednesday,’ and he was surprised, saying, ‘You go to therapy?’ I found out that he did too, but neither of us had ever mentioned it before. It’s interesting that both of us were going to therapy but never talked about it.
“Even now, when people ask what appointment I have, there’s still that little voice in the back of my mind that goes, ‘Do you just say doctors or do you say therapy?’ It depends on the day which one wins.
“To any men who may be struggling in silence, I know first-hand that it can be difficult to step outside your comfort zone and seek help. But if you can push through the initial discomfort, the benefits far outweigh the initial fears. It can make a huge difference in your quality of life.”
Dr Dale Huey, Clinical Lead for Talking Therapies services in Greater Manchester, and Associate Director of Psychological Services at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is so good of Michael to share his experiences, which perfectly capture the need for more men to open up and move towards seeking support.
“We wouldn’t think twice about getting advice and feedback to address many issues, say improving a golf swing, but many of us still persist in keeping things bottled-up, avoiding, withdrawing or distracting ourselves even when this is not solving the problem.
“Accessing talking therapy is the best way of learning strategies that have helped others resolve problems related to anxiety and depression. It is adaptive coping, and a great strength, to seek such support, not any kind of weakness.”
Trafford Talking Therapies is an NHS service, run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
It is available to the 30,000+ Trafford residents estimated to be currently suffering with an anxiety or depression related problem. It is available, free of charge, to anyone over the age of 16 years, who has a Trafford GP.
The service offers a range of different options matched to the types of problem experienced and the preferences of the person seeking help. Both video and face-to-face appointments, at a range of venues across Trafford, are available.
The therapies on offer are research-backed and proven to work, with over 75% of people reporting a significant, life-improving reduction in symptoms; and over 50% reporting that they have fully recovered from their problems.
Waiting times are short, with the majority of people referred starting therapy within 12 weeks.
To access Trafford Talking Therapies, you can self-refer by visiting www.gmmh.nhs.uk/trafford-talking-therapies or speak with your GP.
