Emotional uncovering is a term that completely sums up, opening ourselves up and showing our true selves. Often we hide how we are doing. Responding, “I’m fine” if asked, maybe it’s a residual of the stiff upper lip, that we brits are known for. But isn’t it time to change. 

We are moving into becoming more emotionally aware, as a society. Though for many of us this is a personal journey, one that we need to process and work through and sort our emotions out in private. Before we express them to others, if at all.  

Men are often berated to share their emotions more, and be in touch with how they feel. Though we see those in the public eye that become emotional, or tearful, being ridiculed or tuned into meme’s. In order to move into a space that men feel safe to be emotionally connected. We need to make the world safe for boys to connect to how they feel and be able to express themselves equally. 

We may feel we have to learn a whole new language to discuss and express ourselves fully and articulately. But we can simply try to be more honest with ourselves and our circle. Rather than putting on a false façade. Simply saying that we have not been feeling great or have a lot of things that are playing on our mind, can easily assist others to know where we are at, and facilitate talking and getting the support that we need. 

Checking in with family, friends, colleagues or kids, to see who needs support can be as easy as the colour hearts method. Here you can say a different colour heart to show how you feel. It is good on social media to check in with friends and if you’re in a group where people could be suffering from poor mental health.  

Adapting such tools for kids and starting to explore how children and young people are feeling, can be done from a young age. Try adapting the hearts to face emoji’s for younger kids as a daily check, or when stressful things are happening. Asking open ended questions like, “What do you need?”, or “How can I support you?” or asking if anything could be altered or changed to assist them, will assist your child in not feeling as isolated and alone. This may open up conversation that will allow you both to explore ways avenues that may help. 

Throughout the pandemic we have become more aware of the devastating effects of poor mental health and isolation. We tend to talk about physical illness but keep quiet about our mental health struggles. 

Only as it becomes an everyday occurrence, to be more emotionally open will we realise that underneath our exterior, we all are in some way struggling at times. That we have become adept at hiding, but we need to start to uncover emotionally. Keep reacting out and connecting till we find the assistance that we need and have deeper emotional connection and greater more supported resilient mental health.