Ali Woods | Supporting a Friend in Crisis & How Journaling Improves Mental Health. EP89.

Comedian Ali Woods joins host Yinka to open up about his personal mental health journey — from hitting rock bottom during university and learning to journal his feelings to supporting his best friend through severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Ali shares how toxic masculinity stops men from asking for help, why vulnerability is a sign of strength, the life‑changing lessons he learned, and the one message he’d give his younger self. We also discuss the devastating reality that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 35, how to be a better friend, and why putting yourself first isn’t selfish. Raw, funny, heartfelt and unflinching — this conversation is essential listening for anyone wanting to understand men’s mental health, break stigma, and learn how to support the people they love. 🔓Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Comedian Ali Woods joins The Hurt Locker | Men’s Mental Health Podcast 03:48 Casual Chat: Growing up, London life & football banter (Liverpool vs Manchester United) 07:42 Opening Up: Ali Woods shares his mental health journey & what’s in his ‘locker’ 09:52 First Struggle: University injury, feeling lost, low mood & starting journaling 18:52 Hitting Rock Bottom: End of uni, bad coping habits, depression & feeling like a failure 24:39 Turning It Around: Setting small goals, finding purpose & choosing comedy as a career 32:22 Supporting a Friend: Living with someone struggling with suicidal thoughts & what helped 38:16 Hard Lessons: Breaking stigma, confidentiality & learning how to be there for men 41:35 The Crisis: Suicide as the biggest killer of young men | Toxic masculinity & male silence 47:30 Vulnerability: When Ali Woods last cried, love, gratitude & finding the right partner 50:07 Personal Growth: Making amends, unlearning bad habits & becoming a better friend 54:51 Key Lesson: Why you are the most important person in your life | Self‑care first 57:32 Powerful Final Message: What Ali Woods would tell his 12‑year‑old self about emotions 58:39 Outro & Wrap‑Up: Thank you to Ali Woods 🔓Mental Health Support If you are experiencing mental health issues, please do reach out for help - phone 999 for an emergency, or if you would like to speak to someone, call The Samaritans on 116 123. Please also check out The Hub of Hope to find mental health support in your local area in the UK. https://hubofhope.co.uk/ 🔓Guest information Follow Ali Woods: Website: https://www.aliwoodsgigs.com/ Instagram:   / aliwoodsgigs   YouTube: ‪@AliWoodsGigs‬ Tik Tok:   / aliwoodsgigs   The Hurt Locker Podcast- Watch on YouTube | Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🔓 Real stories. Hard truths. Healing starts here. 🎧 Episodes on most Tuesdays 🔔 Subscribe and step inside ⁨ @thehurtlockerpod 🔓 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @thehurtlockerpod Hosted by Yinka Yesufu Produced by Tim Roe #thehurtlockerpodcast #mentalhealth #mensmentalhealth #podcast #AliWoods #supporting #menshealth #improvement #toxicmasculinity #interview #comedian #exclusive #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #realtalk