Monday November 11th 2024
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
This November is Men’s Mental Health awareness month, focusing attention on the rise of male suicide and mental health issues across the country. Taking place every November, the month is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
Attempting to take away the stigma of masculinity societal expectations, charities and fundraisers encourage men to talk about their mental health, with charities such as Movember and Mental Health UK raising awareness for men’s wellbeing.
Men’s suicide rate is on the rise with around one man dying by suicide every 2 hours with nearly 80% of the UK’s suicides being male. With rising mental health issues, one charity that’s encouraging men to talk about how they are feeling is Andy’s Man Club.
Ian Hounsome from Andy’s Man Club spoke about the charity and its mission.
With around 213 clubs in the UK and 46 in Scotland, Andy’s Man Club offers a welcoming place for men aged 18 and above to come talk and socialise. Despite starting as a suicide prevention charity, it has become a safe space for men struggling or not.
“Last Monday 5200 men walked through the doors at one of the clubs”, Ian told me, “It’s great there are all these clubs that men can come to, it encompasses everything”.
Ian found himself a part of Andy’s Man Club due to a rough patch in his life where he was welcomed in by one of the charity’s ‘sweepers’ who stand outside before the meeting and encourage hesitant men to come in. Later becoming a sweeper for the charity in Edinburgh, Ian has helped
Andy’s Man Club sustain it’s 3 weekly meeting every Monday in Edinburgh.
“It’s just about reaching that one man but our ultimate goal is more clubs”, Ian explained about the charity’s future goals, “Our target is around 1300 clubs, the equivalent to the number of McDonald’s”.
Andy’s Man Club is on the way to reaching its goals, becoming one of the UK’s leading mental health charities.
“It’s important to encourage men to talk and open up. If you keep stuff bottled up, eventually its going to bang”.
“The fact is mental health affects everybody and it’s important to open up, there’s something therapeutic in talking”.
Focusing on talking, reliability with others struggling is important for the charity. Andy’s Man Club works by offering a circle to talk, sharing stories and feelings over a cup of tea or coffee.
Mental health issues can make men feel isolated with the majority bottling their feelings up inside. This year men’s Mental Health Awareness Month encourages men to talk, focusing on starting a conversation.
To find out more visit andysmanclub.co.uk
Watch a short video of Ian Hounsome from Andy’s Man Club below
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