mental health
"Admitting that you're struggling is one of the hardest things you can do, but it's also one of the most liberating opportunities you can gift yourself with."
STRUGGLING, PAIN AND THE LIBERATING FEELING OF TALKING BY BRAD GARTLAND On 19th August 2016, aged just 45, my dad, Stephen Gartland, known as ‘Garty’, sadly took his own life after a battle with depression. He was a loving, thoughtful, and generous man who always had a smile on his face, giving up a lot of his time to help others. Although he always had a huge smile, he couldn’t express his thoughts or emotions, and felt like he couldn’t reach out to people.
From the outside perspective, my dad looked like he had ‘everything’: a caring family, a great job, successful rugby league career, so many supportive mates. But, no matter how good someone’s life looks from the outside; you never know what that person is truly going through. Knowing that my dad felt like he had no other option breaks me, as I know there was so much help out there for him. But my life goal is now to make a difference for others.
3. And - no matter how bad you feel, please remember that your situation is temporary and there is so much help out there.
What have I learnt from this life changing experience?
Since Andy’s Man Club opened in Rochdale in November 2020, over 100 men have walked through the door, talked, listened, and now have a fantastic network of support. Some of these men now even help run the group alongside me. Andy’s Man Club now has over 50 groups nationally, and is a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental place where men can come and talk about their problems, every Monday (excluding bank holidays) at 7pm.
1. No matter how big or small your problem is, it is so important that you talk about it. 2. Being positive doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time. Being positive means that even on your darkest days, you know that there are better ones coming. 28 | Rochdale Style
Since my dad’s sad passing, with the help of some amazing individuals, I now run a weekly male mental health talking group, Andy’s Man Club in Rochdale at Mayfield Sports Centre in Castleton, as well as being a trustee of the Stephen Gartland Foundation.
