Hi, I’m Stu, the founder, trustee, chief pot washer and senior volunteer nagger for TETC. I started Tough Enough To Care in 2019, following the loss of 2 friends to suicide within 4 days of each other. They were not from the same friendship circle, meaning these were 2 devastating losses with no connection. It was from the pain, sadness and burning desire to understand ‘WHY?’ that I decided something had to be done to prevent anyone else feeling that their only option was to take their own life. I started this journey with no prior mental health training but I have thrown myself headfirst into supporting others and through the amazing care and support received from so many amazing people, I have gained a knowledge and understanding of mental ill health that I feel has given me the tools to help others. I have played rugby my entire life, served in the RAF for 7 years where I completed successful operational tours of Iraq and Afghanistan and since leaving the military have worked in construction and engineering trades, so I have seen how the ‘man up’ culture has sadly driven people to bottling things up and not dealing with their feelings. Now is the time to talk about mental health, in fact, there has never been a better time than right now. Reaching out will be the hardest but most rewarding step you will ever take on your journey to mental well health, whatever you see that as being.
Stuart Bratt BCA
