Walking With Silence: A Men’s Mental Health Story

I’m a single father and men’s coach who has experienced the depths of severe depression and addiction. Over the years, I’ve facilitated dozens of men’s circles and events—and I know first-hand how hard it can be to be a man and carry emotional pain quietly.

The Mental Health Crisis Facing Men in the UK

In 2023, there were 6,069 registered suicides in England and Wales, marking the highest suicide rate since 1999. Men accounted for around four fifths of those deaths, continuing a long-standing gender gap in suicide rates Wikipedia+3Office for National Statistics+3Wikipedia+3. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50 Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4. In particular, men aged 45–49 face the highest rates—about 25.5 per 100,000 Office for National Statistics. Disturbingly, only 36% of NHS talking therapy referrals are made for men, despite men reporting lower life satisfaction and significantly elevated risk Mental Health Foundation+1Men’s Minds Matter+1.

Breaking Silence Through Walking in Nature

In response to these harsh realities, I host a monthly men’s walk at Ashton Hill Plantation. It’s different. Phones and watches are left behind. We walk in silence. And that silence holds space for something many of us rarely experience: real, unshakable calm. Men who’ve joined have shared moments of clarity—they’ve said they “knew everything would be alright.”

This slow, wordless companionship in nature offers an alternative to conventional men’s groups. It creates a felt sense of stillness, of groundedness, which can open the doorway to deeper emotional connection later on.

Nature as a Pathway to Mental Health

Research consistently shows that being in green spaces can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. People with higher nature connectedness report greater life satisfaction and a stronger sense that life is meaningful The TimesMental Health Foundation. UK studies found that regular visits to woodlands and green areas save an estimated £185 million per year in mental health treatment costs GOV.UK. Short-term nature exposure also delivers measurable improvements in mood comparable to brief CBT sessions arXiv+1Wikipedia+1. These interventions are now being prescribed within the NHS as part of “green social prescribing” programmes, and they’re shown to be cost-effective and impactful The GuardianFinancial Times.

Supporting Men to Open Up—Online or Outdoors

Many men tell me they struggle to talk about what’s going on inside. And yet, the silence of a walk in nature can gently loosen those internal walls. That’s why I developed my Online Nature Coaching programme—a two-month, four-call series to help men begin exploring their inner world through structured nature practices. You don’t need to be outdoors during the calls; between sessions, you’re encouraged to form a personal relationship with a local green space—your ‘nature anchor.’

This approach helps men start small—and safely—in opening up: first through experiences in nature, then eventually about feelings, using tools like “I” statements and mindful attention. For many, this becomes a bridge to deeper emotional exploration.

Why It Matters

As a man who’s walked through burnout and addiction, I know that silence—and isolation—can become traps. But nature, especially when held in shared intention, offers a healing container. At Ashton Hill Plantation, walking in silence can be a radical act of self-care and connection. And for those ready to speak, online coaching offers a grounded path inward.

If you’re a man who’s felt stuck, unable to speak, or disconnected—know this: nature’s voice is patient. And many others have learned your story is worthy of being heard.

Join us on the next men’s walk at Ashton Hill Plantation—leave the noise behind and meet your own quiet strength in nature.

And if you’d like to take that next step into your emotional world, ask me about the Online Nature Coaching programme.