The Hidden Crisis in Men's Lives | With John Rich

<p>If you’ve ever wondered why so many men stay silent until everything is already falling apart... this conversation is for you.</p><p>In this episode, Paris sits down with <strong>John Rich</strong>, Chairperson of <a href="https://menshealthwa.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Men’s Health and Wellbeing WA</a>, to talk about men’s mental health, suicide risk, relationship breakdown, domestic violence, connection, and the quiet pressure so many men carry.</p><p><br></p><p>John Rich has spent years working across addiction, domestic violence, prison re-entry, counselling, men’s groups, family mental health, Aboriginal emotional wellbeing, and community support.</p><p><br></p><p>Before that, he spent 30 years in engineering and large scale industry.</p><p><br></p><p>That shift gave him a rare view into the world so many men are trained to survive in. One where you provide, compete, earn, stay strong, and keep the emotional stuff hidden.</p><p><br></p><p>This is not a conversation about telling men to “just open up.”</p><p>It is about why so many men were never taught the language for what they feel in the first place.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>What you’ll hear in this episode:</strong></p><ul><li>Why men often do not ask for help until they are already in crisis</li><li>The “guy code” that teaches boys to stay strong, useful, competitive, and quiet</li><li>How relationship breakdown can become a major risk point for men</li><li>Why work can become a hiding place</li><li>How men’s sheds, peer support, and lived experience create safer ways to connect</li><li>Why shame does not stop violence</li><li>How the HALT check in can help someone pause before things spiral</li></ul><p><br></p><p>If you’ve ever loved a man who shuts down, disappears into work, or says “I’m fine” when he clearly isn’t... this one’s for you.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>About John Rich</strong></p><p>John Rich is Chairperson of Men’s Health and Wellbeing WA, a peak body advocating for the health and wellbeing of men and boys across Western Australia.</p><p><br></p><p>His background includes counselling and group work in alcohol and other drugs, domestic violence work with survivors and perpetrators, family mental health, Aboriginal emotional wellbeing, prison re-entry, parenting men’s groups, and community support.</p><p><br></p><p>John’s work focuses on connection, practical support, relationship skills, and helping men access support before they reach crisis point.</p><p><br></p><p>John Rich’s organisation:<a href="http://www.menshealthwa.org.au" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> www.menshealthwa.org.au</a></p><p>Bloke’s Book:<a href="http://www.menshealthwa.org.au" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"> www.menshealthwa.org.au</a></p><p><a href="https://menshealthwa.org.au/directory/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Men’s Directory</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Thank you to our Season 4 sponsors:</strong></p><p><a href="https://coachcarly.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠Coach Carly⁠⁠⁠</a> – Life &amp; mindset coaching | <a href="https://www.elevatebeyondco.com.au" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠Elevate Beyond Co.⁠⁠⁠</a> – Disability support services | <a href="https://www.yourrecovery.au" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠Your Recovery⁠⁠⁠</a> – Addiction recovery support</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Thank you to our Production Team: </strong></p><p>Video/Audio Editing: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nevverlandstudios/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠Nevverland Studio⁠⁠⁠</a> | VA - <a href="https://www.lynebon.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠Lyn Ebon⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Australia Wide Directory of Services: </strong></p><p><strong></strong><a href="https://www.myservices.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠https://www.myservices.org.au/⁠⁠⁠</a><strong></strong></p><p