Alpha advocates
Ten famous faces who are role models for getting men discussing their mental health
Statistics show that Irish men still find it particularly difficult to openly admit when they are struggling with depression or anxiety. Here, we highlight 10 male role models from the worlds of sport and entertainment who are taking a public lead in the vital conversation
Irish men have a long relationship with ‘getting on with it’. We’ve all done it at some point in our lives. Instead of talking an issue out, or addressing it head-on, we’ll put it to the back of our heads somewhere, and get on with whatever is in front of us. In our heads, we’re not moaning, and instead are being practical. What’s the point of going to therapy anyway? Sure what can they do that will help?
According to the Central Statistics Office, eight out of every 10 suicides in Ireland are men. With rolling lockdowns and a news cycle dominated by dread now almost routine, it has become more important than ever to address how you feel, be it with someone you trust or a professional.
What we have in 2021, which we didn’t have even a decade ago, are men we can point to who have led the way, and inspired and motivated us by openly discussing their struggles, helping those who have struggled, or offered a platform to others with a message we need to hear. It’s not always a comfortable thing to talk about or even listen to, but the 10 men featured here have, in one form or another, made that conversation — be it publicly or privately — easier to have.
NIALL ‘BRESSIE’ BRESLIN
Few celebrities have used their fame and influence to further a cause more than The Blizzards’ frontman. After a stint as a judge on Ireland’s version of The Voice, Bressie capitalised on the national fame the series gave him by speaking openly about his battles with anxiety and depression and writing the award-winning book, Me and My Mate Jeffrey.
In 2015 he founded the mental-health charity A Lust for Life, where he serves as creative director. He has published two picture books that aim to help children overcome anxiety. At a time when few Irish men were speaking out about depression or anxiety, never mind in the public space, Bressie helped nurture a safe place to do so. »
JOE ROGAN
Host of the most popular podcast in the world, The Joe Rogan Experience, the comedian and UFC commentator has spoken with countless mental-health experts on his show and talked about friends he has lost to depression.
Rogan offers a free-flowing platform — one that engages men on a phenomenal scale — for guests to dig deep on their experiences. Rogan also has no problem expressing emotion, be it on his show or during a live UFC broadcast, often becoming visibly upset. You can’t underestimate the impact that someone, who in many ways has defined modern male culture, can have on those who worship him, by being open with his feelings.
PHILLY MCMAHON
An eight-time All-Ireland winner with the Dublin footballers and a successful businessman, Philly McMahon has made it his life’s mission to give back. An ambassador for The Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), he sought out help after his father’s death.
Philly has spoken and written at length about addiction, and, with his charity, HalfTimeTalk, aims to empower those from communities that experience high levels of deprivation, unemployment and drug use to do more with their lives; he also acts as a mentor to inmates of Mountjoy Prison with a leadership programme.
MARK MANSON
In a world of self-anointed self-help gurus who try to motivate by meme on Instagram, Mark Manson stands out for being real. Author of The Subtle Art Of Not Giving a F**k, which has sold millions of copies worldwide, he offers a practical, funny, and accessible way for men to implement helpful tools in their everyday lives. Be it dating, work, or a confrontation you’ve been avoiding, Manson has tackled it on his blog and YouTube channel and done so with consistent hilarity.
Check out markmanson.net and sign up for his weekly Monday newsletter — you won’t regret it.
KEITH WALSH
Sometimes a decision someone else makes affects your life on a monumental scale. This happened to radio presenter Keith Walsh after his 2FM morning show Breakfast Republic was cancelled. After five years of co-presenting the show in the early hours of the morning, Keith’s life was dealt a severe gear shift he didn’t ask for.
On the advice of his wife, he began attending therapy and has now become an advocate for men to speak up when life kicks you down — particularly men in their 40s who may have felt it is too late for them. Keith has taken his thoughts on the road in a show called Pure Mental and started
The Keith Walsh Podcast where he talks about life, both good and bad, its successes and failures.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
It’s probably difficult for some people to imagine The Boss suffering from depression, but he’s spoken about it extensively in the past few years. The introspective musical legend had a difficult relationship with his father growing up and says he had his first breakdown at the age of 32 during the time of the release of his critically acclaimed album Nebraska, when he was also packing-out venues.
Springsteen writes in his autobiography Born to Run that he was “crippled” with depression in his 60s and it was his wife Patti who’d recognise it and they’d address it together. For the millions of men all over the world who grew up with his music, his message to seek help when you need it is invaluable.
DWAYNE JOHNSON
Following ‘The Rock’ on Instagram is like consuming an energy drink — his thoughtful, motivational words and endless positivity are infectious. But everyone has tough times and Johnson is no different. Opening up in a video about his darkest days when he failed to make it to the NFL, he explains how he watched as friends ‘made it’ and fell into a deep depression.
However, he says, time and self-empathy helped him get through it. It’s a lesson for anyone with a singular focus: your path may not be what you thought it would, but it can still come good in the end.
MICHAEL PHELPS
The most decorated Olympian of all time — what a title that is to carry around. But as Michael Phelps got older, he realised what he had missed out on while spending so much time in the pool in his attempt to become the best.
He revealed in 2018 that he suffered from ADHD and depression, and that he had hit rock-bottom after the 2012 Olympics. He sought help and realised he needed to deal with his feelings instead of compartmentalising them. Last year, he produced and featured in the documentary The Weight Of
Gold which shone a light on the struggles of athletes post Olympic Games.
GARETH THOMAS
A hugely successful athlete who played at the top level for many years, the former Wales rugby captain came out as gay in 2009, in doing so becoming the first openly gay professional Rugby Union player in the world.
In 2019, Thomas announced that he was HIV positive but said he wouldn’t allow the virus to define him. Having always preached about the power of exercise to aid depression, Thomas completed a daunting Iron Man triathlon soon after. Thomas has also used his experience to counsel other professional athletes on going public with their sexuality.
NEAL BRENNAN
Widely regarded as one of the smartest men in stand-up comedy, Neal Brennan is the co-creator of Chappelle’s Show, one of the most successful sketch series of all time. In 2017, he featured in his own stand-up Netflix special 3 Mics where he discussed his battle with depression in a pioneering hour of comedy. While a lot of famous comedians have spoken about their mental-health issues, Brennan’s use of it as a creative drive — while still managing to be hilarious — is what makes it resonate so much.
For the millions of men all over the world who grew up with Bruce Springsteen’s music, his message to seek help when you need it is invaluable