In today’s professional world, countless individuals don metaphorical masks, concealing their internal battles to project an image of composure and success. This facade spans all levels of business, from entry-level employees to top executives.

The Prevalence of Workplace Mental Health Issues

Recent studies reveal a significant rise in mental health challenges within the workplace. Factors such as financial pressures, loosening family ties, and excessive use of social media contribute to increasing rates of depression and anxiety among employees.

A Personal Journey: From Concealment to Revelation

For over two decades during my 20s and 30s, I advanced in my career — ascending the corporate ladder, embracing entrepreneurship, and leading a growing digital agency—all while wearing a mask. Beneath this veneer, I grappled with a persistent, destructive inner voice and harboured deep-seated unforgiveness from my teenage years.

All this was in spite of living what could be described as a “picture perfect life”.

At Breaking Point

In my late thirties, during a prestigious, no expense spared business trip to Vancouver, Canada, I reached breaking point. Alone on the balcony of a luxury apartment, the relentless inner voice that had been whispering lies to me since my late teens year, urged me towards a tragic decision:

“Just do it, Paul, jump. There is no other way; you will finally be free.”

Thankfully, divine intervention prevented this irreversible act, allowing me to share my story today—a testament to the brink of despair I faced, despite outward appearances. I didn’t leave behind my wife and our young daughters, and I am here to share the story.

Seeking Help: Therapy and Hypnotherapy

There was no-one in my life through my 20s or 30s that had the answer to how I could remove this mask once and for all. For over 5 years before my entire life as it was collapsed in 2019, I was seeking help through one-on-one therapy and then later hypnotherapy. Despite years of expensive private sessions, I failed to attain lasting peace.

The hypnotherapy was incredibly deep, emotional and eye-opening, as I started to re-live experiences from my childhood years.

On finishing 5 very deep, often emotional sessions of hypnotherapy I was assured that I am now healed, and that I could finally start to move on with my life, with the experiences from my past no longer impacting how I live and experience life.

I trusted the therapist, paid my final £100 bill for the final 1 hour session, and left.

That Dark, Destructive Voice

Around 2 weeks later that dark, destructive voice that had been speaking to me since I was around 19 years young, returned - it had never fully gone away.

I was absolutely devastated.
I was trapped in this inescapable prison of my mind.
I wasn’t healed in any way.
I was in fact feeling even more depressed, helpless and hopeless.
I was completely lost.
I had reached the end of myself.
That was in March 2019.

In April 2019, at a time when I had hit absolute rock bottom, I had the personal revelation of Jesus Christ.

My life as I had known it was going to begin dramatically changing for the better.
The mask was once and for all exposed and removed, NEVER to be put back on again.

Removing the Mask: A Path to Authenticity

Today, in December 2024, I am honored to present a series of 14 short videos detailing my journey from concealment to authenticity. These videos explore the challenges of wearing a mask in the workplace and offer insights into achieving genuine mental well-being.

Video Series Overview:

About the Multitudes of Mask Wearers in the Workplace: Explores the widespread nature of concealed struggles among professionals.
The C-Suite Mask Wearers in the Boardroom: Examines the pressures faced by top executives to maintain a facade of resilience.
The Leaders & Managers in Masks: Discusses the challenges leaders encounter in balancing authority and vulnerability.
The Employees in Masks: Highlights the silent battles of team members striving to meet expectations.
Mask Wearing on the Team Building Trip: Reveals how social work events can perpetuate the need for facades.
Mask Wearing on the Work Night Out: Addresses the continuation of concealment in informal professional gatherings.
Mask Wearing in the Middle of the Night: Shares personal reflections on sleepless nights dominated by internal struggles.
What Can the Mask Be Covering Up?: Identifies common issues hidden behind professional facades.
What Is the Worst That Can Happen if the Mask Stays On?: Discusses potential consequences of prolonged concealment.
Is One-on-One Therapy the Answer?: Evaluates the effectiveness of traditional therapy methods.
Is Hypnotherapy the Answer?: Assesses the impact of hypnotherapy on deep-seated mental health issues.
Is Meditation the Answer?: Considers the role of meditation in achieving mental clarity.
Is Religion the Answer?: Explores spiritual avenues for attaining inner peace.
The Future of Workplace Mental Health: Envisions a work environment where authenticity and well-being are prioritized.

Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, consider reaching out to the following charitable organizations:

Mind UK: Provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Become Born-Again Ministry: Provides extensive spiritual guidance to anyone struggling with their mental health
Samaritans: Offers confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Mental Health Foundation: Works to prevent mental health problems and support mental well-being.

Mental Wellbeing is one of the 17 assessment points within the Become People-Centric Employee Wellbeing Assessment.

We run a workshop focussed on mental wellbeing which you may be interested in.

Thank you for engaging with this narrative and the accompanying video series. May you find inspiration to unmask and embrace authenticity in your professional and personal life.

Please do share this page with other people who come upon your heart, who may benefit from what I have shared here.

Paul Rouke

1. About the multitudes of mask wearers in the workplace

2. The C-Suite mask wearers in the boardroom

3. The leaders & managers in masks

4. The employees in masks

5. Mask wearing on the team building trip

6. Mask wearing on the work night out

7. Mask wearing in the middle of the night

8. What can the mask be covering up?

9. What is the worse that can happen if the mask stays on?

10. Is 1-1 therapy the answer?

11. Is hypnotherapy the answer?

12. Is meditation the answer?

13. Is religion the answer?

14. The future of workplace mental heath

Thank you immensely in advance for reading through this and watching the videos.

May God continue to bless and protect you, your family and your work colleagues.

Paul

Mental Wellbeing is 1 of the 17 assessment points within the Become People-Centric Employee Wellbeing pillar of the People-Centricity Maturity Model.

Unmasking Mental Health In The Workplace In 2025