Mental health is still a topic that's not talked about enough.
Though it's more openly discussed in 2024, we still don't realise how often it impacts the people around us, especially men. David, known as @thebearded86 on Instagram and TikTok, is someone who openly talks about men's mental health.
He boasts over 90,000 followers on TikTok alone where he's known as "the dude that does things on his own," and people love how he opens up about his life so candidly.
David, 38, from Australia, joined TikTok during the coronavirus pandemic when he had nothing to do. This was also a time when he started to feel a decline in his mental health.
Like so many people at the time, he admitted he struggled, but made a big confession. He didn't know what mental health was, or what it even meant, as he didn't understand the concept of it.
Now he's opened up about what he's learned to honour International Men's Day, and he has a strong message for anyone who may be feeling the same way.
David said: "March 2021 I started noticing erratic changes in my behaviour and how I was feeling. It would be several weeks where I would wake up with incredibly painful tension headaches.
"I would wake up every single day with my body completely anxiety ridden. This feeling I noticed did not go away.
"My thoughts were all over the place. I was constantly sad. Highly emotional. All these thoughts and feelings made me realise okay, something must be wrong?
"So I ended up going to see a doctor, who referred me to a psychologist. After many tests and assessments I was diagnosed with severe depression.
"To allow me to be vulnerable, help me heal and hopefully attract people who were going through the same thing, I decided to start journaling and making content sharing my story and how I was feeling. It was incredibly daunting and courageous."
A few years down the line, 91,000 people now follow his journey, and he admits the last four years have been a "whirlwind". He's had some really good months, and not so good months.
David added: "Two years ago I lost a very good friend to mental health. He was a such a vibrant and happy man. In March this year, I lost another good friend to mental health. He was 31. Once again, he was a happy go lucky guy.
"I would say I have had good days and bad days. Lately many more good days than bad. I occasionally get triggered by events, and things that remind me of them, and it makes me feel physically sick and sad.
"However, I have managed to work through with some coping mechanisms to help me manage these triggers. I have also had the aid of antidepressants, which help with my anxiety levels and how I am feeling."
David often posts content about men being alone. For example, he'll take himself on solo coffee dates, or explain what it's like to be single at 38 in candid videos.
He decided to do this because he felt he spent most of his life being a "people pleaser" who would put everyone's needs before his own without any reciprocation. Around a year ago, he simply thought enough was enough.
At last he began to put himself first so, once a week, he started doing something for himself. It's something he's worked to document ever since.
David said: "I believe doing this for yourself is important because sometimes in life you need to learn how to be resilient, learn self independence and learn to enjoy your own company.
"There will be moments in your life where you will be left to your own accord, where you will be forced to make a decision for yourself, and you have no choice but to have to make that decision without any help.
"However, this is what hit me the most. I was out at dinner once with 'friends'. This particular night, no one spoke to me. I felt like I didn't exist, and that made me feel lonely. So, it taught me that you can still be with a table full of people and still feel lonely.
"I have felt less lonely doing this on my own. It is also important to let everyone know that doing things alone does not mean you are lonely. There is a real difference.
"Why wait? Do it alone? I have gone to sport events, concerts, restaurants, cafes and vacations on my own. I absolutely love it!"
This has been a big learning curve for David, as he's simply learned to be comfortable enough in his own skin. He now loves his own company, and appreciates himself for who he is.
When he's going at his own pace he somehow feels that life is "less rushed". Not to mention, it's made him a lot more resilient too.
He also uses his platform to talk about how men deal with body image struggles. He's experienced a love/hate relationship with food and the gym, as he finds working out in public can be "quite intimidating".
As well as this, he went bald at 23, which was "incredibly daunting". There was a time when he'd be embarrassed to leave the house without wearing a hat, and thinks a lot of men worry about their size too.
"I partly blame social media, TV reality shows and ads who seem to have men portrayed as fit, buff guys, where in reality the majority of men do not look like that," added David. "I believe many people and men suffer in silence. There is societal pressure.
"Once again I put it down to social media. When was the last time you saw an ad or a TV show where the person, man or woman, was of a normal stature?
"My advice for anyone, especially men, is speak up, even if your voice shakes. I know it can feel daunting and scary to be vulnerable to share how you are feeling, but telling that one person can ultimately save your life and someone else's life.
"I recommend seeing a GP as a start who can help refer you to a specialised therapist who can help you with what you need. If I hadn't gone to a GP to start back in March 2021, I honestly don't think I would have been here today."
To find out more about David follow him on TiKTok and Instagram.
For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.