A man who became an outspoken advocate for men’s mental health has shared his own battle with depression and anxiety, and how he lost his cousin to suicide last year.
Lenny Pack, 46, is acutely aware that while so many men grapple with their mental health, they can often feel unable to talk about their struggles before taking such drastic action.
Suicide is now the most common cause of death in men under the age of 50 in the UK.
Mr Pack understands this struggle only too well.
“I struggled horrendously with stress, anxiety and suicidal thoughts while I was working abroad in Mozambique,” explained Mr Pack, who now lives in Woodbridge. He worked overseas in construction for many years.
“Like most men do, I kept it hidden," Mr Pack continued. “I was in the old-school mindset of ‘I don’t want to talk about it, I’ll just deal with it’.
“But, if your mind is off track, it becomes too hard.”
Now, Mr Pack is grateful that with the support of loved ones and professionals, he has developed ways of coping with and caring for his mental health.
After arriving back in the UK in 2020, Mr Pack set about creating his own wellness centre in Ipswich, which specialises in cryotherapy.
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is the modern take on traditional ice baths, and refers to submerging oneself in extremely cold water.
The treatment has been used for joint pain and inflammation as well as many skin conditions.
Recent studies show that cryotherapy can help with depression and anxiety because it decreases the production of cortisol, often called ‘stress hormone’.
In addition to cryotherapy sessions, Mr Pack also hosts weekly meetings for men, offering a space where they can talk openly about their mental health.
“We don’t have any agenda,” said Mr Pack. “We sit together, and talk over a coffee and piece of cake, and then finish on a cryo session.”
With no expectation, he finds that many men feel more comfortable sharing their struggles
“The conversation will go where it needs to go. If someone has been struggling with depression or anxiety, they will find a point in the conversation to talk about it.
"It’s like friends who don’t know each other, offering each other a bit of support.”
Following these sessions, some men have taken their first steps to finding a counsellor, while WhatsApp groups have been formed so the men can remain in touch.
Last year, Mr Pack lost his own cousin, Jason Pack, to suicide. Jason died on the A14 in September last year.
Mr Pack said he wished his cousin had felt able share his struggles.
“What happened was absolutely heartbreaking,” he said. “He never wanted to impose on anybody.”
Mr Pack is trying to raise as much money as possible for the Ipswich-based mental health charity, MANUP?
He has committed to running every day of 2023, and is taking part in the annual marathon held at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk from August 18 to 20.
Running with his friend Lisa Perkins, Mr Pack will attempt to run 100 miles in 24 hours, in memory of Jason.
“The thing with losing someone is how you deal with that cloak of sadness,” he said. “It never goes, but you wear it, and it’s about how you process it.”
To donate to Mr Pack’s fundraiser, click here
His wellness centre, For You Now, can be found in in Unit 12 of the Alpha Business Park in Whithouse Road, Ipswich.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here