Over three quarters of men (78%)1 in London say they would only consider therapy once they reach breaking point, according to new research from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
The study shows seven in ten (70%) in the region have struggled with their mental health in the past three years, and 25% are more likely to address it using their own coping mechanisms such as exercise, hobbies or alcohol, than any other method.
With men accounting for three quarters (74%) of suicides in the UK, according to ONS data2, BACP warns “crisis point culture” is preventing men in London from seeking professional help when they need it.
BACP is launching Outside View, a new campaign encouraging men to pause and consider professional support before they reach breaking point. It aims to meet men where they already feel comfortable opening up, including walking with friends.
Many men in London say they turn to the outdoors when they are struggling, with 85% saying they go for walks to clear their head and over two thirds (68%) saying walking provides an opportunity to open up to friends. While both positive ways to manage your mental health, BACP is cautioning that these conversations shouldn’t replace professional support. Speaking to a therapist that’s registered with a professional body, like BACP, can help prevent problems escalating to crisis point.
The charity has recreated a therapist’s office on a well-trodden walking route, inviting men to take a moment in the great outdoors and consider how an ‘outside view’ from a therapist can help them. Alongside this, rapper and therapy advocate Professor Green appears in a short film, walking with BACP-registered counsellor Rahi Popat and other men who have experienced challenges to their mental wellbeing, sharing honest conversations about the moments that led them to seek support.
Brent Leyshon (54), who lives in London and appears in the BACP film says: “I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression at various stages in my life – from when I was at university to throughout my career. Therapy has always been the tool that has gotten me through these challenges.
“The combination of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and talking therapy has been really helpful for my mental health. I am an engineer, so I like to understand how things work, and what helped was having someone explain the process to me in a clear and practical way. Over time, that changed how my brain responded. Gradually the anxiety and depression begins to lift after a number of focused therapy sessions, and my full recovery will usually follow.
“For me, one of the biggest barriers men face to therapy is perception. A lot of men still see therapy as something soft, vague or not really meant for them. There is still that feeling in some male spaces that it is not practical, not serious, or somehow a sign of weakness. My experience has been the complete opposite. Every time I have gone through therapy, I have come out understanding myself better, feeling more resilient and seeing more clearly what really matters.”
Just two in five (44%) men in London say they’ve accessed therapy, but three quarters (75%) of those wish they’d sought help earlier and 80% also said it’s made them stronger. However, a fear of being seen as weak (34%) is the biggest barrier to men seeking support. This is particularly concerning as more than seven in ten men (72%) in this area of the UK admit to hiding their mental health struggles from others.
Professor Green, who lives in London says, “A lot of men feel like they need to work out how to fix things on their own. I know I felt like that when I was in the thick of things struggling with hypochondria, anxiety, sleep anxiety, intrusive thoughts and rumination, periodic physical illness seemingly without cause, self-sabotage and self-harm by way of self-medicating. I was at the mercy of it all without any understanding of what was really happening. Carrying everything by myself took its toll.
“Therapy helped me find a real inner strength, I just wish I’d sought it out sooner. Anyone can call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist, so it is super important to choose someone who is listed on a Professional Standards Authority accredited register such as BACP’s.”
Anthony Davis, a BACP-registered counsellor in London, says: “Many men grow up with messages that promote silence, self-reliance, or ‘pushing through’, which can make seeking therapy feel difficult or even like a failure. In reality, seeking support is a sign of strength. Therapists work alongside men in a respectful, practical, and non-judgemental way, offering a space to talk openly, develop tools to understand and manage emotions, and build trusting relationships. This process can help men feel more connected to themselves, their relationships, and what matters most to them.”
BACP is working with several community groups including Andy’s Man Club, Men’s Minds Matter and Shoulder to Shoulder, providing resources to encourage people to consider professional support and access therapy earlier.
Visit www.outside-view.co.uk to find out more – including an immersive experience highlighting the benefits of getting an ‘outside view’ from a registered therapist, more information on the men involved with the campaign, and guidance on how to access therapy.