Men And Our Mental Health

June has been Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month - and I recorded this video but never had the balls to post it. So today I’ve got balls.
Panic attacks? Night Terrors? Trauma? ME TOO!
In this video I talk about how I realised I had never faced the trauma I faced 20 years ago and how I managed to face it and finally put it behind me
#thatenglishmanintexas #mentalhealth #panicattack #panicattackrelief #olipettigrew #ptsd

[@umat6991]

I lost a friend who struggled with depression and anxiety. Being a man’s man, he didn’t really speak about it. If he had just TALKED to someone (especially me as I’ve had the same experiences) about the feelings he was having, he might still be alive today. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone (most employers offer free confidential employee assistance programs). You’re not alone, no matter how much one may feel alone.

[@NA-lf2oj]

You never know how many lives you will impact by sharing this, thanks for caring so much about other people.

[@jeninelilly5938]

This is the best thing you've done. I get it. Fellow boarding school PTSDer here. Talking about it can't change what happened ---- which is why most of us don't talk about it. But it does help to figure out why I am the way I am and how to be compassionate with myself and others. Keep talking.

[@TamRonRVCarnivore]

Trauma can be traumatic for years, until you ready to heal. PTSD reactions to you trauma, Forgiveness to yourself, your on your healing path. ❤

[@deborahbrock3458]

Thank you for sharing. It takes strength to ask for help and to share our traumas.

[@justc45]

Thank you for sharing your story... It's very admirable of you. I'm sorry for the trauma you went through. Saying a prayer for you and everyone who has gone through something, but didn't know how to cope so we pressed it down. Making mental health as normal as physical health needs to become the new normal. Sending positive vibes for better days ahead. ✌🏼💓🙏🏼

[@sharilavender-hummel7387]

I’m glad you’re feeling better. It was very brave of you to share. Thank you for telling your story. 💜

[@rootssixtysix]

Real strength comes from being humble.

[@jalo3369]

I totally understand Oli. My pit of despair lasted for about 2 or 3 years. I didn’t think I would make it and there were days I wished it would permanently end. I am glad I pulled through. I lost most of my “friends” and I found out I could not count on anyone but myself. I hope that what I learned I can help other men. Thank you for sharing your story!

[@cxcartgallerybycourtneylee8138]

Thank you for sharing. It takes courage and you are helping more people than you could ever know! I gained value and I shared with the men in my life that I love dearly. God Bless You on your healing journey

[@annaromero6312]

I think you are very brave to do this. You are correct that men think they can’t have any weakness. I wish my father would have known that he would have had a happier life. 🥰💕

[@bettypruitt7582]

Thank you! Yep….you are helping many more folks than you’ll ever know.

[@karenhusmann6881]

Thank you for sharing. I think you have helped not only yourself but many others. What some of the things that both men and women have gone through are buried deep inside. Trauma takes many forms. I am glad your were able to release the hold it had on you. Praying for God’s peace for you .

[@georgeloera1439]

Thank you.

[@Reader0071]

Oli, it takes a real man to make a video like this. God bless you and your sweet family. Texas is fortunate to have this Englishman in our midst. ❤

[@TheJasmin7890]

Thank You for sharing and being open Oli. Just as an FYI, there is a very brief type of therapy called EMDR that is very effective for a specific trauma, which would be perfect for your experience. I totally agree that men are raised with a very unhealthy expectation to "man up", and block all those painful emotions is extremely harmful. There is a book called "the body keeps score." A great book that addresses how our repressed emotions will be converted to illness. This is also being recognized by the medical industry. Keep being open with those uncomfortable emotions.

[@msbeyer]

Thank you for being g brave and sharing your story. You will never know who or how many you may have helped by showing it’s ok to be vulnerable. That is something seriously lacking in our world today. Vulnerability.

[@dianequigley9457]

Cheers to you for sharing a part of your life with us. Being bullied affects us in a way, we may never know until later in life. Also, Never apologize for taking up "our time". Mental Health and Awareness is very important. I appreciate "Your time" you have shared. What's sad is, it continues today. May you have Much Continued Success Always ❤😊 On another note, are you taking any nasal sprays for the allergies?

[@thatenglishmanintexas]

I’m seeing an allergist soon

[@Texaskerry]

❤

[@MisterLobb]

I don’t think you need therapy. Therapy is telling someone about your experience and how it made you feel. You’ve done that. You don’t have the night sweats now because your conscious mind has finally accepted the message your unconscious mind was trying to convey. I say that because you’re no longer having the physical responses from your fight or flight (survival instinct). The three parts of your brain have reconciled and you are no longer on alert that they might be coming for again. (I’m not a doctor, I’m just familiar with similar experiences).

[@freakyp711]

Biggest lie I've ever told. I'm okay.

[@naomis2]

Thank you so much for sharing! I have so many men in my life who do this, stuff everything down and it all comes out in all the wrong ways. I would encourage you to find a counselor just to help you keep healing. ❤️‍🩹