By James Fleming, Founder & MD, The Power Within Training

November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and if I’m honest, it’s one I think we don’t talk about enough.

At The Power Within Training, we do a lot to champion women in leadership and underrepresented groups in construction and beyond. I’m proud of that. But every so often, someone comments on our posts: “What about men?” And maybe they’ve got a point. Because in reality, men, especially those in leadership, are struggling too. Often in silence.

That’s why this month, we’re talking about it. We even filmed a video called “What You Don’t See,” where some of the men in our team held up cards with the things they struggled with, but rarely say out loud.

It hit me hard, because I know that feeling.

The reality behind the ‘strong leader’ image

I’ve spent my life working in tough industries; starting as an apprentice engineer, then working in oil and gas around the world, before coming home to Scotland to build a business with my wife, Enas. I’ve worked on billion-pound projects. I’ve sat in rooms with CEOs and government officials. And now I’m running a company that employs a team of brilliant people, helping leaders and businesses grow.

From the outside, it might look like success. But what you don’t see are the nights I’ve lain awake at 3am worrying about payroll. The times I’ve sat in silence after a meeting, feeling the weight of everyone depending on me. The pressure of providing for my family and my team. The fear that I’m not good enough.

I’m dyslexic and have ADHD, and school wasn’t easy. I’ve faced self-doubt more times than I can count. I’ve also experienced suicide in my own family. These things stay with you, and they shape how you see the world and yourself.

And yet, like so many men, I’ve spent years just getting on with it. Because that’s what we’re told to do. Be strong. Don’t complain. Sort it yourself.

The shocking truth about men’s mental health

The statistics paint a brutal picture, one we can’t ignore:

Four in five suicides are men, and suicide is the biggest killer of men under 35 (UK Parliament).
One in five men dies before the age of 65 (Men’s Health Forum).
50% of men have struggled with mental health at some point, yet fewer than half seek help (BUPA Wellbeing Index).
37% of men hide their mental health struggles from their partners.
30% don’t know where to turn for advice or support.
And 65% of employees say stigma around men’s mental health is still strong.

Read those again. If that doesn’t make you stop and think, I don’t know what will.

These aren’t just numbers, they’re people. Husbands. Fathers. Sons. Colleagues. Friends. Leaders.

And if you’re a male leader, the weight gets heavier. You’re carrying the pressure of your team, your clients, your business. You can’t always offload your doubts to your staff, because they need to feel secure. And you don’t always want to bring it home either, because you don’t want to worry your family.

(I’m lucky, my wife is also my business partner. She’s seen me at my best and my worst. But I know not everyone has that.)

Leadership can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be

Loneliness isn’t just about being physically alone. It’s about feeling like no one truly understands what you’re carrying.

You might be surrounded by people all day, yet still feel isolated because you can’t drop the mask. You’ve got to be confident, decisive, calm under pressure… even when inside you’re full of doubt.

Burnout creeps in quietly. You keep pushing, telling yourself you’ll slow down later. Until one day you realise you’re exhausted, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

I know this because I’ve been there. And I’ve seen it in countless leaders we’ve worked with. Men who’ve built incredible businesses, but feel trapped by the very success they created.

Mindset matters, more than we realise

At The Power Within Training, we’re obsessed with Motivational Intelligence (MQ), the science of what drives human behaviour, resilience and decision-making.

It’s not just another fancy leadership buzzword. MQ is about understanding why we do what we do, especially under pressure. High-MQ leaders don’t ignore fear or burnout, they know how to recognise it, adapt, and move forward.

That’s why mindset work matters so much for men’s mental health. Because you can have all the skills, strategies and business plans in the world, but if your inner voice is stuck in survival mode, if you’re silently drowning, none of that will matter.

The truth is, men’s mental health is often invisible. It hides behind job titles, busy calendars, and the quiet weight of responsibility, and too many are carrying that weight alone.

That’s why we created “What You Don’t See…”, a short video where the men on our team share the struggles people don’t notice; the doubts, the pressures, the moments of not feeling enough.

👉 Watch it here and, if it resonates, tell us: What don’t people see about you?

A message to the men out there

I want to say this directly: asking for help doesn’t make you weak. Admitting you’re struggling doesn’t make you less of a leader, a man, or a father.

If anything, it’s one of the bravest things you can do. Because it means you’re facing what’s real, instead of running from it.

This November, as we mark Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, I hope this message reaches someone who needs it. Maybe that’s you. Maybe it’s someone you know.

Reach out. Talk. Listen. Don’t wait until burnout, loneliness or silence take over.

And if you think our mental health awareness training or business coaching could help, whether for yourself or your team, get in touch. We’re here. No judgement. Just support, understanding, and the tools to help you lead without losing yourself in the process.

Want to Go Deeper? Join Our Free Men’s Mental Health Webinar

If this topic hits home, for you, your team, or someone you care about, I’d really encourage you to join us for a free webinar we’re hosting on 24th November at 12:30pm, led by our Executive Coach, Alan Clark.

It’s called “Male Mental Health: Myths and Solutions”, and it’s designed to tackle one of the most pressing issues in our industry head-on. The stats are heartbreaking: two men in construction die by suicide every single day, and more than half of men in the sector work in environments with no mental health policies in place at all.

This session dives into the root causes; the stress, isolation, pressure to “man up,” and silent battles so many face, and explores how capability, purpose, and adaptability all shape men’s wellbeing. Alan will also share practical, science-backed strategies to help build resilience and reclaim mental strength.

Whether you’re a tradesman, site manager, business leader, or HR professional, this webinar is about making mental health relevant, actionable, and deeply personal.

Click here to register for free and let’s change the conversation, one man at a time.

Additional Resources & Support

If anything in this article has resonated with you, or if you’re worried about someone else, please know you’re not alone. Help is out there, and talking to someone is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Immediate help & support:

Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or email jo@samaritans.org
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Call 0800 58 58 58 or use their webchat service (5 pm–midnight) at thecalmzone.net
Mates in Mind: Resources and support for mental health in the workplace – matesinmind.org
Mind: Call 0300 123 3393 or visit mind.org.uk

James Fleming
The Power Within Training
The Motivational Intelligence Company
james@tpwtd.com

james-fleming

The Silent Struggles: Burnout, Loneliness and the Male Leader