I've asked myself this question many times over the years and it's probably one of the main reasons it's taken a while for this project to come to fruition. There are multiple factors which have conspired to this taking nearly 10 years to get to where we're at today with Blackdog, my own mental health struggles have been a big factor but the other major thing that was holding me back was this lingering question of what good can a clothing brand really do for men's mental health?
As the discourse around men's mental health has increased over the years my sensitivity to not just paying lip service has also increased. It's so easy these days for brands to jump on the bandwagon of supporting a good cause, raising a bit of money and then what? When it comes to men's mental health I didn't want to just do that, so the question of what can a clothing brand actually do to help is one I/we take really seriously.
So what's the answer? How can a clothing brand make an impact?
Encouraging men to talk is the first step. #TALKITOUT has been Blackdog's tagline since the start and it still rings true today. It sounds incredibly simple but just talking about what you're going through really is the first stage to tackling mental health issues. There's also something quite unique about doing this through the lens of cycling, being outdoors, exercising and spending time with friends is priceless. But more than that have you noticed that when you're on a group ride chatting, its easier to talk shoulder to shoulder rather than face to face?
Showcasing the stories of men like us with mental health issues. Just like when Blackdog started by 4 friends talking and realising they were all going through similar shit, it's really important to hear stories of men like us who have battled mental health issues so we know we're not alone in this. Blokes like Nick Frendo who came on the podcast a few years back when he was in a pretty dark place, and who is now thriving with his ASCND project going from strength to strength.
Promoting and supporting organisations that are doing the heavy lifting. Starting with Movember which has been leading the charge in raising awareness and funds for men's mental health. What's great about Movember having followed & supported over the years is now seeing the results of some of their research which is giving therapists much needed tools to better serve male clients. By no means the only organisation doing great work, and as this project develops we'll look to support other non-profits too.
Giving easy to digest practical advice and resources. The Journal section on this site has some mental health starting points on things like how to find a therapist, and we'll continue to both add this sort of content to the Journal, and re-direct to partner sites and resources.
Connecting men with groups, coaching and therapy. This is where my own wider professional mission to become a therapist comes in. Blackdog's partner site Fellowman is a men's mental health resource that also provides men's groups, coaching and soon therapy that's aimed specifically at men.