When I founded X-4RCE CIC, it was born out of a deeply personal experience with the mental health services in the UK—services that, over the years, I found to be increasingly depleted and, quite frankly, not fit for purpose. My journey through the NHS mental health system began when I was just 19 years old. Since then, I’ve been in and out of care for over a decade, and I can honestly say that the system, in many ways, did more harm than good.
The Reality of Mental Health Care in the UK
The first major issue is the inefficiency and lack of a personal touch. When someone is struggling with their mental health, what they need most is empathy, understanding, and consistent support. Unfortunately, the current system often fails to provide this. The overburdened NHS is underfunded and understaffed, leading to long waiting lists and brief, inadequate treatment plans that are more about ticking boxes than truly helping individuals.
I was prescribed five different antidepressants over the years, each with its own set of troubling side effects. One medication made me feel suicidal, another turned me into a zombie devoid of any emotion, and the only one that slightly helped left me so drowsy that I wasn’t functional until the afternoon. These side effects weren’t just minor inconveniences—they were life-altering in the worst ways.
But the medication issues were just the beginning. My experience with therapy through the NHS was equally disheartening. For someone suffering from complex PTSD (C-PTSD), a condition that requires deep and prolonged therapeutic intervention, the standard 8-16 free therapy sessions are woefully inadequate. Just as I would start to build a rapport with a therapist, the sessions would end. Even more frustrating was the likelihood of being assigned a new therapist if I needed to return to therapy, forcing me to relive my traumas by retelling my story to yet another stranger.
This lack of continuity is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a significant barrier to effective treatment. Therapy requires trust, and trust takes time to build. The NHS approach of rotating therapists and enforcing rigid guidelines on what they can or cannot share about themselves creates an unnatural barrier. In my experience, the best therapists were those who broke away from these constraints, but they were few and far between.
The Growing Crisis
To make matters worse, waiting lists for mental health services are only getting longer as the NHS struggles to meet the increasing demand. The system is stretched too thin, leaving many without the help they desperately need. This is why X-4RCE exists—because the current system is failing too many people like me.
X-4RCE: A New Approach
At X-4RCE, we’re committed to providing the personal, consistent, and empathetic support that is so desperately lacking in the traditional mental health care system. We offer a safe space where men can talk openly about their struggles without fear of judgment, and where they can receive continuous support tailored to their unique needs.
Our peer support groups are built on the belief that true healing happens when individuals can connect on a human level, sharing their stories in a space where every voice is valued. We’re not just another service provider; we’re a community, and we’re here to make sure that no one has to face their mental health challenges alone.
X-4RCE isn’t just needed—it’s essential. For every man who has felt let down by the system, for every man who has struggled in silence, we are here to listen, support, and empower. Together, we can change the narrative of men’s mental health in the UK.
