The hardest blog I've ever had to write.

It's Okay to Ask for Help

Today I’m going to write about something I thought I’d never have to write about. Today I write about something deeply personal to me. Mental Health.

Over the past few years, I've had my own struggles with mental health.

From the outside, life looked pretty good. I have a wonderful family, a business I'm passionate about, great friends, and a fantastic community around me. But the truth is, there were times when I felt overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and exhausted.

For a long time, I kept those struggles to myself.

Like many men, I thought I should just push through. Work harder. Toughen up. Get on with it.

Thankfully, I have a very intuitive wife who could see that even though on the outside I was playing the part and acting ok, on the inside she could see that something was missing inside of me. She noticed it in me before I did. If it wasn’t for her, I’d probably still be in denial.

But as I've started talking more openly about my experiences with those who are close to me, I've realised something surprising: a lot of men my age are carrying heavy burdens and suffering in silence.

Men in their 40s and 50s are often juggling careers, mortgages, ageing parents, relationships, raising children, financial pressures, and the constant feeling that everyone depends on them. We become very good at looking like we're coping, even when we're not.

(Please, I’m not saying women don’t have their own struggles as well. I’m sure this could be a blog about women’s mental health as well. But I’m in no place to comment on that personally).

Recently, our Balmain Health Club community experienced a heartbreaking loss. It was a reminder that we never truly know what someone else may be going through beneath the surface.

That's why I wanted to write this.

If you're struggling right now, please know that you're not weak.

In fact, asking for help may be one of the bravest things a person can do.

Whether it's talking to your partner, a friend, a family member, a coach, a psychologist, or your doctor, that first conversation can make a huge difference.

At Balmain Health Club, we're passionate about physical health, but physical health is only part of the picture. Real wellbeing includes our mental health too.

If this article resonates with you, perhaps take a moment today to check in with someone—or let someone check in with you.

You might be surprised by how many people understand exactly what you're feeling. Or you might just help someone else realise they're not alone.

And, if you read this and you have questions about my own personal struggles and journey, please call me on 0413 017 416 and I’ll happily tell you what I went through. I don’t pretend to have it all together anymore.

— Jerome

P.S. No dad joke at the end of this blog. I don’t think it fits the tone of what today’s topic is.