Clothes That Talk: Fashion as a Voice for Mental Health
Photo by Niamh Hatfield
Fashion has always carried political weight, from protest slogans to bold statement pieces. One of the most well-known examples is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at her first Met Gala, where she collaborated with Aurora James on a gown reading “Tax the Rich.” As well as Stormzy, who made a similarly striking statement at Glastonbury 2019, wearing a stab-proof vest designed by Banksy, to comment on the UK’s knife crime epidemic.
While these moments capture attention worldwide, fashion doesn’t need a red carpet or festival stage to make an impact. Fashion is a way to spark conversation and bring attention to issues that often go unseen, like men’s mental health. Ben Bennett, 22, from East Belfast, saw an opportunity to do just that with his clothing brand, JustMental.
In the UK, suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under fifty, and many struggle to get the support they need. In a world where men’s mental health often goes unseen, fashion provides a way to start the conversation.
Ben’s idea to create JustMental came from his own mental health challenges, which were a constant presence in his life, both personally and within his family. For a long time, these struggles felt normalised, even inevitable.
Ben Bennett- Photo by Niamh Hatfield
Through counselling, Ben realised that while these struggles are common, they shouldn’t be carried alone. Public conversations around men’s mental health often land on one solution, which is talking. While important, traditional support left Ben feeling unheard.
Ben began looking for another way to communicate, one that existed in everyday life and didn’t rely on words.
For Ben, fashion became that alternative language that communicated without demanding explanation. “Fashion is a good way to make noise and start conversations."
Ben Bennett-Photo by Niamh Hatfield
“My clothing is bold and in your face, If I’m walking down the street in front of you, you can’t help see what’s on the back of my hoodie”
At the heart of JustMental is the idea that someone, somewhere, will read the message when they need it most. As Ben added “It can make a difference without them realising it."
Unlike traditional campaigns, fashion spreads naturally through communities. The more people that wear the clothes, the more the message will spread. It’s not like a billboard that can be taken down and changed. As ben explains, “Fashion is always there and permanent, and the awareness is constantly being spread and grown.”
Ben Bennett-Photo by Niamh Hatfield
While the clothing carries the message visually, conversation remains central to JustMental. Inspired by his dad, Ben expanded the brand into podcasting to keep discussions ongoing. Guests, including influencers, have reached out to participate, helping the message reach wider audiences.
As JustMental grows, its focus remains on impact rather than scale. Ben measures success not in sales, but in connection. “If I can make that little bit of difference in my community, that will be massive for me as a person to know that I have helped at least one person.”
For Ben, the brand is about challenging stigma and making mental health conversations unavoidable. “I’m trying to turn up the volume, break the stigma, break the noise, and get it normalised.”
Ben Bennett-Photo by Niamh Hatfield
Looking ahead, Ben hopes mental health becomes a normal conversation. “I would like people to know that being open is not a bad thing, but being closed off is not a bad thing either, because there are options for both.”
Future plans for the brand include a new collection dropping in early January, a therapist directory to make professional support less intimidating, and monthly wellness boxes.
In a society where men often suffer in silence, JustMental shows that even small actions, like seeing a message on a hoodie, can start important conversations. Ben shows people that talking about mental health doesn’t have to be difficult or intimidating; and sometimes the simplest gestures make the strongest statement.”