A SALISBURY man has opened up about his experiences with anxiety and depression in a bid to break down the stigma around mental health.

Graeme Stevens, 38, spoke at the most recent Mental Monday talk, which take place at @Home in Bridge Street, about events and factors throughout his life which led him to reach rock bottom.

Graeme, who works as a data analyst and owns a business in the city centre, said: “I made the decision to do the talk as our culture doesn’t always leave space for men to express the inner struggle. For anyone living with mental health problems, talking about it with anyone — let alone a mental health professional — may seem scary and difficult.

“For us, men in particular, who’ve been told all their lives to ‘man up’ and ‘be strong’, accessing mental health resources can seem to go against cultural expectations and we are labelled as weak.”

“Alex Taylor from Girls Love Fit motivated me to share my story, Nikki Emerton for BeU mentored me and Louella Adamson, who I do Mental Mondays, with gave me the opportunity.”

Mental Mondays are organised by Louella Adamson, who opened the venue at the former Truth bar as a community hub earlier this year. The next will be held at @Home on December 3 with guest speaker, psychic Paula Jackson.

Graeme added: “I want people to know it is ok not to be ok. You should not have to suffer in silence. Being open to mental health can break down any stigma surrounding it. You don’t have to be an expert to talk and to listen, and often it’s the little things that make a big difference.”