Local men’s mental health advocate Simon Matthews shares his journey of trauma and recovery while campaigning for greater suicide prevention funding through his Simon Says It’s OK support group
I’m a firm believer that hurt people can hurt people, as they have untreated trauma. And healed people can heal people because they have worked with the tools given to them by professionals that make them understand how to control emotions.
My name is Simon Matthews and I’m a local advocate for men’s mental health. I also aim to create awareness around suicide prevention and misandry. I first started Simon Says It’s OK during the covid pandemic. I was homeless. I lost my job because I refused to have the vaccine for personal reasons. I was alone a lot of the time and didn’t have the support I needed, so I turned to social media to promote the fact we need more awareness and funding across the UK for NHS mental health services.
I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD, ADHD, EUPD and traits of bipolar. I’ve since completed three years of talking therapy, which includes CBT and DBT. I’m currently waiting on ADHD treatment, which is around 12 months away. There are over two million people on waiting lists for treatment for mental health conditions on the NHS nationwide. It’s taken me around half my life to get onto the correct medication to keep me stable. Currently, the UK has funding of around £5m per year for suicide prevention. What they fail to mention is men are up to four times more likely to take their lives than women, and it’s the number one cause of death for men under the age of 50 worldwide.
I’ve been in and out of the NHS mental health services since my early twenties, and I’m now 40. The process is long, repetitive and sometimes feels like you’re being forgotten. What I have noticed is you have to be patient and keep fighting. Unfortunately for some people, this is not the case. For some, there is only one way out. This is why I’ve started the first petition in history to bring awareness and attention to the fact we have a suicide crisis on our hands; around 80 men a week are just not here anymore, and the government must increase nationwide funding immediately to around £20m per year. So, please take a few minutes of your day to sign my petition if you believe everyone deserves help. I am also accepting donations to help promote this petition via online advertisements.
I’m also considering putting on some local awareness events next year and I’m looking for like-minded people to join me and help in any way possible. If I can prevent anyone from ending their life, then I will have achieved something huge, and I believe I can do this with your help. Thank you all for your support.
To view Simon’s suicide prevention petition, visit swvg.co.uk/simonsays
For more information, email simonsays_itsok@hotmail.com
