If you’re a man somewhere around 45, 50, maybe a bit older — this might be for you.
You probably won’t tell anyone how you’re really feeling. You carry responsibility. People rely on you. And it feels like your job is to keep it all together, no matter what.
But maybe, quietly, something’s shifted. Life feels heavier than it used to. You still show up — you work hard, you pay the bills, you do what’s needed — but inside, it’s like the light has dimmed a bit. You might not even know why. You just know that things don’t feel right anymore.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not the only one. Not by a long way.
The Numbers That Tell a Story
Every year in the UK, around 4,000 men take their own lives. That’s about 11 men every single day.
And the group most at risk? Men in their early fifties.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the suicide rate for men aged 50–54 is 27.5 deaths per 100,000 — the highest of any age group. That might sound like just another statistic, but behind every number is a person. A dad, a brother, a friend, a colleague. Someone who thought there was no other way.
Those men could be any of us. Because when life closes in — when the weight of work, family, money or silence gets too much — even strong men can start to believe there’s no way out.
Why It Hits Hard in Midlife
Nobody warns you how tough midlife can be. You’re supposed to have things sorted by now — a career, a family, a plan. But often, life doesn’t match the picture.
Maybe work isn’t what it used to be. Maybe you’ve been made redundant, or the job just feels empty now. Maybe the kids are grown, or your relationship has changed, or the people you once leaned on have drifted away.
There’s a voice that creeps in — “Is this it? Is this what I worked so hard for?”
For many men, it’s not one big thing that knocks them down. It’s the slow build-up of stress, pressure, loneliness and exhaustion — mixed with a lifetime of being told to “man up” and get on with it.
You’re taught to cope, to fix, to keep going. But sometimes, that silence becomes its own kind of pain.
The Pressure to Never Fail
For men in business or leadership, that silence can be even louder. When you’re the one in charge — running a company, managing a team, working for yourself — there’s no space to stumble. People rely on you. You’re the one who’s supposed to have answers.
You push through tiredness, worry, stress. You keep your game face on because showing cracks feels dangerous. But inside, it’s a constant strain.
The truth is, business people are some of the most isolated men in the country. They’re used to being the fixer — the one others come to for help. Admitting that you need help can feel like failure. But it isn’t. It’s human.
Even the most successful people break down sometimes. The key isn’t pretending you’re fine — it’s having the courage to talk before it all unravels. Because no amount of money or success is worth losing yourself for.
You’re Not Broken
If life feels dark right now, remember this: you’re not weak. You’re not a failure. You’re not beyond help.
The strongest thing you can do is to tell someone you’re struggling. It doesn’t have to be a big confession — just a few words: “I’m not doing too well.” The moment you speak, something shifts. The wall starts to crack.
You don’t need to fix everything at once. You just need to stop facing it all alone.
And here’s something true: no matter how long you’ve felt stuck, life can still get better. Even at 50. Even at 60. Even after years of holding it all in.
What Helps
Here are a few small things that can make a real difference:
- Talk. Choose one person — a mate, a colleague, someone you trust — and just start.
- Move. Get outside. Go for a walk. It’s not magic, but it helps more than you think.
- Cut down on the numbing. Whether it’s drink, endless scrolling, or pretending, none of them fix the pain — they just hide it.
- Connect. Join a men’s group, message a mate, do something that gets you around people again.
- Ask for help early. Talking to your GP or a counsellor isn’t weakness. It’s strength — it’s maintenance for your mind, the same way you’d look after your car or your business.
You don’t have to do this alone. None of us are built to.
If You’re in That Dark Place
If you’re reading this and thinking, “None of that matters. I just can’t do this anymore” — stop right here.
You matter.
You really do.
There are people ready to listen right now — day or night. You don’t have to explain or be strong. Just call, text, or message one of these:
- Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7)
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – Call 0800 58 58 58 or visit thecalmzone.net
- Andy’s Man Club – Find a local group at andysmanclub.co.uk
- MindOut (LGBTQ+ mental health support) – Visit mindout.org.uk
- Mind – Visit mind.org.uk for advice and support
- Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential help
You are not a statistic. You are not your mistakes. You’re a human being, and there is still more life ahead of you than you think.
A Final Word
We grow up thinking strength means keeping everything inside. But real strength — the kind that saves lives — is honesty, connection, and courage.
If you take one thing from this, let it be this: you are not alone, and this moment is not the end of your story.
It’s never too late to reach out, to rebuild, or to start again.
And it’s never too late to believe that your life still matters — because it does.