Soft masculinity: ‘I was crippled with anxiety, a bit of agoraphobia and I couldn’t leave the house. But now I feel empowered to talk about this subject that was such a taboo’

Males make up 80pc of all suicide deaths in Ireland yet few ever talk about their troubles. Conor Brummell speaks to a cohort determined to change that narrative and empower those struggling with depression to seek help

Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin raises money for Movember every year now after struggling with his mental health in his second year in college

Conor Brummell

Conversations around men’s mental health in Ireland have been changing in recent years.

Prominent Irish celebrities such as Bressie, Blindboy Boatclub and Dermot Whelan have been vocal about how important it is for men to look after their mental health, promoting mindfulness and meditation as key ways to manage anxiety and stress.