Singer Tom Grennan has shared how he now finds it easier to talk about mental health with friends compared to when he was younger.
The 29-year-old Bedford native reflected on his journey during a heartfelt conversation with Kevin Willows, a winner of the BBC’s Make a Difference Awards (MAD), which honours everyday people making an impact in their communities.
Speaking to Willows, who co-founded a bereavement walking group, Grennan emphasized how important walking has become in his own life.
“If I’m ever feeling like I want to get something off my chest, if it’s with friends, or my wife or my parents, I always say, ‘can we go for a walk?'” he explained. “A walk can save a life, talking can save a life.”
Growing up in Bedford, Grennan admitted that expressing emotions wasn’t always easy, particularly for boys in small towns where a tough, “alpha” culture often discouraged vulnerability. “Nobody wants to seem like they’re weak,” he said.
He credits his mother for teaching him the value of emotional honesty, encouraging him to “let them out” rather than bottling feelings up.
On a recent return to his hometown, Grennan described a breakthrough moment with his friends where open conversations led to deep emotional connections.
“There was a lot of tears, there was a lot of laughter, those barriers were breaking down,” he recalled.
“As grown men now we can sit down and talk about what we’re going through and how we can lend a hand.”
Grennan also spoke about a traumatic experience during university when he was the victim of an unprovoked attack that left him with a broken jaw.
He described that time as the beginning of his battle with depression, asking himself, “Why did it happen to me, why did these people not like me?”
His healing process began when he joined a music group, where he met his best friend and found comfort through conversation and song.
His story serves as a powerful reminder that opening up and connecting with others can be a vital step in healing.
Through his music and public platform, Grennan continues to advocate for mental health awareness, echoing the very spirit of the BBC’s Make a Difference Awards: celebrating those who make life better for others.
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