Two men who work for the NHS while Movember is underway said coming out about their mental health changed their lives.

Jon Staple and Dairin Keating work for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and are struggling with their mental health.

The charity Movember is encouraging men to grow their beards throughout November to raise money for men’s health projects, and men have used this as an opportunity to share their experiences.

Mr Staple said: “Everyone’s mental health is different and talking and sharing is so important; if this helps even just one person then I’ll be happy.”

“Over the last year I’ve gone from a pretty low level to a really pretty high level,” he added.

She said that following the death of her mother-in-law and then her friend, she felt like her life was not going the way she wanted.

He slowly started to enjoy DIY and gardening again.

“You have to help yourself, and that paves the way for others to help you,” Mr. Staple said.

Mr Keating recently launched a Men’s Network to support people like Mr Staple at the trust.

He said he was bullied a lot growing up after he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

“When I went back to school I was a lot shorter than most boys my age, so unfortunately I was bullied a lot,” he explained.

“There were a few times when upperclassmen boys supported me because they understood what I was going through.

“I think this has affected me in some ways; I now feel the need to protect the vulnerable people in my life.”

As part of the Men’s Network, they have created a tool shed where members can share and borrow spare tools and talk to each other about their shared interests in DIY.

“I’m very in touch with my emotions and I’m not afraid to show it; I cry at the stupidest things,” she said.