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Interview: Gareth Turner on male mental health and business

Despite progress in the wider mental health conversation, men's mental health remains an area filled with silence, stigma, and societal pressure. For many men, the idea of opening up still feels at odds with expectations of strength, resilience, and control… especially in leadership roles or business ownership.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we shone a light on these challenges through real conversations. In a recent interview with Gareth Turner, Chief Operating Officer at Signal Biz Hub, Kiana Douglin, co-founder at Plenty of Stuff Studio, explored the weight of unspoken stress, the impact of stigma, and why it is time to redefine what strength really looks like.

The unspoken pressure on leaders

Even today, too many men feel they have to suppress their emotions in order to be seen as strong, reliable, or capable. This pressure is especially intense in leadership roles, where there is often an unspoken rule that showing emotion might undermine authority. For business owners, the need to "keep it all together" can become overwhelming. The desire to appear composed and in control at all times creates a dangerous gap between outward appearances and inner reality.

The link between vulnerability and failure

There is a persistent belief that vulnerability is somehow linked to failure. Gareth reflected on this, noting that "it is so often that vulnerability gets equated with failure. So if you are being vulnerable, then you are failing. And obviously that leads us to avoid doing any of the emotions rather than embracing it". But avoiding emotion does not protect us… it isolates us. It creates a culture where emotional honesty feels unsafe, and where men continue to suffer in silence rather than seek support.

The cultural echo of "man up"

The phrase "man up" continues to echo across workplaces, families, and communities. Although increasingly challenged, this cultural mindset still lingers, reinforcing outdated ideals of masculinity. It is often tied to the belief that a man’s worth is defined by his output or success. As Kiana observed, "it is the expectation that okay, men are only valuable if they go out and work and if they can be strong. But that is not true. Why is it that men's value is based on what they have, whereas women are just born with value?" It is a confronting but necessary question, and one that reveals how deeply societal expectations can affect mental wellbeing.

The hidden struggles of business owners

The reality is that behind the image of confidence and control, many men are quietly struggling. In business, this silence can be even more pronounced. Owning or leading a business often comes with a unique set of pressures: financial risk, people management, long working hours, and the constant need to perform. But rarely are these pressures spoken about openly. There is a fear that acknowledging the emotional toll might be seen as weakness or incompetence.

Signs of silent suffering

This kind of isolation takes a toll. It can lead to burnout, anxiety, and a creeping sense of loneliness that is difficult to articulate. Often, the signs are subtle, feeling constantly overwhelmed, losing sleep, becoming emotionally distant. These are not things that show up in board meetings or in company reports, but they are very real experiences for many in leadership roles.

Redefining strength

Still, change is possible. There is increasing recognition that emotional honesty and mental wellbeing are not liabilities…they are essential to long-term leadership and sustainable success. Gareth emphasised that "struggling does not make you weak. It makes you human and in fact I think there is a real strength in turning around and saying to someone, this is hard, and asking for support". In many ways, it takes far more courage to admit when things are difficult than it does to keep pretending everything is fine.

The power of reaching out

Support networks can make a profound difference. As Kiana pointed out, "if you have got friends or people around you who are business owners, even if you do not think they are struggling, reach out to them. Ask them how they are doing. Offer that support. Talk to them, because it can be isolating. It can be quite lonely. But when they realise that actually there are people around them who care about how they feel, and that their value is not attached to how successful their business is, that can be freeing".

Creating safer spaces

This shift also needs to happen within workplaces and communities. By encouraging open conversations, showing empathy, and rejecting the outdated ideals of stoicism, we can create environments where men feel safe enough to speak honestly. Whether it is in leadership circles, peer groups, or casual friendships, the act of genuinely checking in, of truly listening, can make a significant difference.

The conversation continues

Although Mental Health Awareness Month has passed, these conversations must continue. Let us use the momentum to keep breaking down stigma and supporting one another. Let us make room for a new kind of strength; one rooted in honesty, vulnerability, and compassion. Because real leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about knowing when to ask the right questions, including of ourselves.

Behind every job title is a human being, and behind every business owner is someone doing their best to carry the weight. They should not have to carry it alone.

Watch the full video interview with Gareth Turner on YouTube, head over to our YouTube to watch it.

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Written by Kiana Douglin

Written on Wednesday, 4 June 2025

Kiana Douglin

Author/ Director, Plenty of Stuff Studio

Kiana draws on years of marketing experience, playing a key role in helping businesses grow and launching startups with effective marketing strategies and operations. Her background combines marketing expertise with skills in sales and events. Outside of work, she finds inspiration in nature-hiking in the mountains, chasing waterfalls, and traveling the world-while her love for poetry and music fuels her creative spirit.

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