This week’s conversation honestly feels like one of the most important episodes I’ve ever recorded.
Being released during Mental Health Awareness Week, I recently sat down with the incredible Rose Rowkins for a raw, honest and deeply powerful conversation about suicide prevention, emotional literacy, masculinity, parenting, modern pressure, hope, and the importance of human connection.
Statistics still show that around 6,000–7,000 people die by suicide every year in the UK. Around 75% are men. Many never speak to a mental health professional before they die.
That has to change.
One of the biggest things I took away from the ASIST training Rose delivers is this:
👉 Suicide prevention does not belong solely to professionals.
It belongs to all of us.
This conversation explores how we’ve created a world where people often feel safer hiding their pain than speaking about it… and how we can all learn to better show up for each other when it matters most.
Rose shares her own lived experience with suicidal thoughts, the devastating loss that shaped her mission, and the life-changing lessons she’s learned through over a decade of suicide prevention work.
We talk about:
And honestly… this episode reminded me again that hope often begins with one conversation.
If this episode helps even one person feel less alone, it’s worth it.
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters
02:13 – “You Alright Mate?” | Rose’s Honest Check-In
06:56 – Why Work Shouldn’t Become Your Identity
09:35 – Parenting, Kindness & Emotional Literacy
14:18 – How Rose Defines Success
16:30 – Leaving Corporate Life & Following Your Heart
25:59 – The Suicide That Changed Rose’s Life Forever
32:40 – What Samaritans Taught Rose About Suicide Prevention
35:45 – “People Don’t Want To Die — They Want The Pain To End”
41:02 – Rose Opens Up About Her Own Suicidal Thoughts
46:57 – Why We Must Stop Waiting For People To Reach Out
50:57 – Why Emotional Literacy Must Start In Schools
57:01 – Why Asking About Suicide Saves Lives
01:03:45 – Community, Belonging & Human Connection
01:11:27 – Are We Teaching Children How To Live?
01:20:01 – The Language That Can Save A Life
01:30:59 – Financial Pressure, Success & Suicide
01:40:48 – Why Talking About Death Helps Us Live
01:50:06 – What Gives Rose Hope
01:53:00 – A Message For Anyone Struggling Right Now
01:54:26 – Closing Reflections & Final Thoughts
⸻
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Rose Rowkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roserowkins/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/start_the_conv/
Website: https://www.starttheconversation.uk/
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success, mental health and suicide prevention.
🚨 If you are struggling right now, please speak to someone.
UK Samaritans: Call 116 123 (24/7)
Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk
Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk
Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com
🎬 PRODUCED BY:
H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/
","author_name":"Sam Thomas"}