--- title: "Carrying the Weight: Mr Guatella Raises Awareness for Men’s Mental Health" url: "https://greatsankey.org/news/2026-06-17-carrying-the-weight-mr-guatella-raises-awareness-for-men-s-mental-health" school: "Great Sankey High School" --- # Carrying the Weight: Mr Guatella Raises Awareness for Men’s Mental Health ![Image of Carrying the Weight: Mr Guatella Raises Awareness for Men’s Mental Health](https://files.schudio.com/great-sankey-high-school/images/news/liam2(1).jpg) 17 June 2026 This week, Mr Guatella has taken on a powerful personal challenge to raise awareness for Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week and encourage important conversations around mental health. Since Monday, Mr Guatella has been carrying a 20lb weight plate attached to him 24 hours a day for seven days. While this is a physical challenge, the weight represents something much bigger — the invisible burdens that many people carry every day, including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, loneliness, and struggles that often go unseen. The challenge is deeply personal for Mr Guatella. After serving in the Armed Forces, he was diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) in 2014 and has experienced first-hand the impact that mental health difficulties can have on everyday life. However, his journey has also shown the importance of resilience, support, and continuing to move forward. Through sharing his own experiences, Mr Guatella hopes to show our students that mental health challenges do not have to define a person or prevent them from achieving their ambitions. The purpose of this challenge is not to raise money for a specific charity, but to raise awareness and encourage conversations. By openly talking about mental health, Mr Guatella hopes to help break down the stigma that can sometimes prevent people from reaching out for support. The message behind the challenge is simple: nobody should have to carry their burdens alone. Throughout the week, students have been made aware of the challenge and encouraged to reflect on the importance of looking after their own mental health and supporting those around them. Whether it is speaking to a friend, a member of staff, or seeking professional support, reaching out is a positive step and a sign of strength. The 20lb weight serves as a visible reminder of the invisible challenges that many people face every day. By taking on this challenge and sharing his story, Mr Guatella is helping to create a more open and supportive school community where conversations about mental health can continue. We would like to thank Mr Guatella for his courage in sharing his experience and for helping to raise awareness across our school. His challenge is a powerful reminder that support, understanding, and compassion can make a real difference. [MentalHealthMatters](https://greatsankey.org/news/tag/mentalhealthmatters) [ A Performance to Remember: School Orchestra Takes to the Stage at the Liverpool Empire](https://greatsankey.org/news/2026-06-10-a-performance-to-remember-school-orchestra-takes-to-the-stage-at-the-liverpool-empire) [Year 10 Students Shine During Successful Work Experience Week ](https://greatsankey.org/news/2026-07-03-year-10-students-shine-during-successful-work-experience-week) ### Our School - [Welcome from the Executive Principal](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/headteacher-s-message) - [Our Values & Ethos](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/our-values) - [Virtual Tour](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/virtual-tours) - [Our Staff](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/staff) - [News](https://greatsankey.org/news) - [Admissions](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/admissions) - [Open Evening](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/open-evening) - [School Performance Information](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/results) - [Ofsted Information](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/ofsted-information) - [Policies and Reports](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/policies-and-reports) - [Governance](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/governance) - [Work For Us](https://greatsankey.org/recruitment) - [Prospectus](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/school-prospectus) - [Omega Multi Academy Trust](https://greatsankey.org/our-school/omega-multi-academy-trust) - [Contact Us](https://greatsankey.org/contact) ![Great Sankey High School](https://files.schudio.com/great-sankey-high-school/images/logo/Omega_Part_of_Logo_White_Mono.png) **Great Sankey High School** Barrow Hall Lane Warrington Cheshire WA5 3AA Tel: 01925 724118 Fax: 01925 727396 Email: ## Follow Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/GreatSankeyHS/) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/omega-multi-academy-trust) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/great_sankey_high_school/) ## Translation © Copyright 2016–2026 Great Sankey High School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://greatsankey.org/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/) Update cookies preferences