Mental health disorders affect millions worldwide, but despite growing awareness, many who live with these conditions say the reality of their daily struggle remains deeply misunderstood.

For Cliff, 46, a father of several children and former hospital radio volunteer, life with mental health challenges is not defined by dramatic episodes or visible breakdowns — it’s defined by silent endurance.

Cliff, who has dealt with depression, anxiety, and the emotional toll of unresolved personal trauma, recently opened up on his YouTube channel. He described moments of deep regret, emotional pain, and even thoughts of self-destruction — made harder by the expectation to remain strong as a father, husband, and man.

“I was crying on the beach, and I don’t even remember texting someone I hadn’t spoken to in 16 years,” he confessed. “That’s when I knew I needed help.”

According to Mind, a UK mental health charity, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England alone. Yet, stigma still surrounds those who admit they’re struggling — especially men.

The Silent Suffering

Mental health disorders are often invisible. From the outside, Cliff says, people assume he’s managing: he works, takes care of his children, and appears stable. But internally, he battles waves of guilt, isolation, and emotional disconnection.

“People say things like, ‘You’ve got a family, a job, what have you got to be sad about?’ That’s the problem — it’s not about sadness. It’s about not feeling anything at all sometimes.”

He admits he once judged others who took antidepressants — until he found himself in a place where medication and professional support became his only options.

“I used to slate people for taking them. Now I understand it’s not weakness — it’s survival.”

Barriers to Healing

While mental health care is more accessible than in the past, many still struggle with long waiting lists, fear of being judged, or pressure from loved ones to “snap out of it.” Cliffs own turning point came when his wife gave him an ultimatum: seek help or risk being sectioned.

“It’s not easy to open up, especially when you think you’re the one who’s supposed to protect everyone else.”

Even after getting support, healing is not instant. Cliffs continues to work through his past — relationships lost, words he wishes he could take back.