ManHealth run male only peer support groups in ten locations across the North East. The groups are free and run on a voluntary drop in basis and are an opportunity for men to speak with other men who have a shared lived experience of mental ill health. Churches Together Newton Aycliffe kindly donated £150 to ManHealth to support our work and this funding will help to contribute to overall running costs, room hire and refreshments.
Paul Bannister, Director of ManHealth, said, “Our culture is getter better at talking openly about mental health, but we still have a way to go. Many of us still feel ashamed at confessing our own struggles and it seems to me that shame, at its core, is the fear of judgement by others. If everyone struggles at some point or other in their lives, where is the shame in struggling? How can we judge others for being like ourselves? It’s possible that by acknowledging that we all find life difficult at times it’ll be easier to talk openly about our individual difficult experiences. The hope is that if we could encourage more men who are feeling isolated, alone and struggling with things in their lives and enable them to talk to empathetic like-minded people who can listen to their issues many of these terrible irreversible consequences can be avoided.”
For more information about ManHealth or to find your local group please visit our website www.manhealth.org.uk, email info@manhealth.org.uk or call 01388 320023.
Photo: David Hopkins, Operational Director of ManHealth receiving a cheque from Churches Together Newton Aycliffe.
