Tuscan Capital

We should be sensitive to emotional and mental struggles




At Tuscan Capital, we take the issue of mental health very seriously. As a small team of 13 people, we all work closely together and know each other well — enough to appreciate a fair amount of what is going on in each other’s personal lives, as well as within our working ones.

Disclaimer: Readers will be advised that some of this article contains references to grief.

In the past three years, six members of the team have suffered the loss of a close family member, so we understand all too well the grief, mental process, and emotional turmoil involved in such a loss. As work friends and colleagues, I believe we should be sensitive to emotional and mental struggles and recognise some of the signs when one of the team is having a tough time mentally. 

Of course, we haven’t got all of the answers, and none of us can understand everything about what is going on each other’s lives, but we can be on the lookout for tell-tale signs and be sensitive, supportive, and open to talk or be available to listen.         

As a business, we are constantly approached by good causes and charitable organisations for our support and contributions. Last year, we decided as a team that we wanted to make a difference by choosing a particular charity that we could not only support with financial donations, but also by actually getting involved, getting to know the people, and seeing how our involvement and efforts can make a difference.

With all this in mind, we have adopted StrongMen as Tuscan Capital’s charity of choice, because we recognise that one’s state of mind or mental health is such a crucial part of one’s wellbeing. 

Now, for too long men have either been told or have been programmed to ‘just get on with it.’ A stigma still exists about mental health for men and many still have great difficulty in discussing their problems. Men aged 40-49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK, and they are less likely to access psychological therapies than women; only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men.

I’m pleased to say that StrongMen specifically supports men who have suffered grief. It recognises that it can cause severe emotional and physical health conditions which are often overlooked and even ignored — especially in men. It is with personal experience in these issues that the team behind StrongMen has created a number of extremely useful services to help men going through the toughest of times.

For example, Man2Man is their telephone-based peer support service. Callers will be supported by a trained StrongMen volunteer with first-hand experience of losing a loved one. StrongMen also offers ‘Our Network’, an online platform designed as a supportive social network for health matters.

In addition, the StrongMen ‘Weekender Retreat’ is its unique premier service, where groups of men have the opportunity to relax and enjoy beautiful remote surroundings while engaging in conversation and physical activities in a safe, secure environment with other men who have shared experiences.

We are thankfully much more aware nowadays of the physical and mental dangers of bottling up grief and, at Tuscan Capital, we want men to know that they have an extremely supportive charity just a telephone call away.

To support StrongMen, email [email protected] or call 0800 915 0400.
 
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

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