MANUP? is heading to Sizewell C, the new nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast, after an invitation from its Maintenance Department to run two private on-site sessions. Male-dominated environments can be the hardest places to speak openly about mental health. Our goal is to get men talking while showing colleagues, partners and managers what stops a man from engaging in the first place.

Why were we asked in

The team at Sizewell C sees a wide age range, from apprentices fresh out of college to veteran engineers with decades on the tools. Many still believe that admitting stress, low mood or suicidal thoughts will damage their reputation or career. That belief keeps problems hidden until they spill over. Our straight-talking, no-nonsense approach is tailored to dismantle that mindset.

What the sessions cover

• Early warning signs of burnout, anxiety and hopelessness that often pass for “just tired”

• Common barriers that silence men, such as fear of judgement, pride and the outdated message to “man up”

• Practical conversation starters and listening skills that any colleague can use

• A brief look at the link between physical factors, like testosterone changes, and mood

• Age-specific pressures, to show why a young apprentice and a senior technician may need different kinds of support