Problems

Mens Support


Suicide in England and Wales is three times more common among men than among women and the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45. Boys are often conditioned from an early age not to show emotion and taught to do so is a sign of weakness. When a boy grows into adulthood this conditioning can have such an effect, that men may often find it very hard to show emotions and talk about feelings, even with those closest to them and may also find it harder to visit their GP. 

Thankfully, over recent years, the message is beginning to get through, that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but knowing when you are not coping and need some support, and reaching out for support, is a sign of strength. I believe this has also been helped by well known personalities speaking out in public about their own depression and mental health and traumas they have been through, and hopefully this will continue to encourage men to seek help and support when they need it, rather than bottling up their emotions until they become overwhelming for them. 

There are many mens groups which have started up providing safe spaces for men to talk to other men about their feelings and what is going on in their  lives. Some of these are talking groups, some are groups where men get together and play sport, or go for walks, all as a way of friendship and helping each other to open up about what is going on in their lives and reaching out for that support when they need it. Some of the groups meet online so there is a diverse range of help and support out there.

Getting involved in a sport /physical activity is a good way to improve not only physical health but mental health and overall wellbeing, as well as being something fun to do, be around other people, reduces isolation etc. See entry for Sport In Mind in the resources, to check what activities may be held in your area. All sessions free of charge and equipment provided.

The following are some of the groups offering support, if you cannot see anything here covering your own area, please contact us by emailing info@supportline.org.uk

If you have been through, or are going through, domestic abuse, or sexual abuse, please see the relevant sections on our website under the Problems Section: (Child Abuse Survivors, (specific section within it for males), Domestic Abuse (specific section within it for males ), Rape and Sexual Assault (specific section within it for males)

https://www.supportline.org.uk/
 

Andy's Man Club
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
Men's Mental Health Support Groups running throughout the UK
Talking Groups for men who have either been through a storm, are currently going through a storm or have a storm brewing in life.

Dads Unlimited
01233 680150
https://www.dadsunltd.org.uk/
Supporting the emotional safety of men and those they care about.
Family separation support and male-victim domestic abuse support.
Dads Unlimited support the wellbeing of Dads through family separation with one-to-one mentoring, helping them to achieve a positive ongoing relationship with their children, reducing parental conflict and improving co-parenting relationships.
They also support male victims of Domestic Abuse in England and Wales to provide them with emotional and practical support, to reduce risk, increase safety, and protect them and their families from harm. See website for further details.

Directions for Men
07894 971 434
https://www.directionsformen.org.uk/
Directions For Men provides groups for men to come and talk about whatever it is that is affecting their mental health. They support each other through difficult times and they help each other by talking about what worked for us when we were going through difficult times. Directions For Men want to get men doing things they enjoy so they also get activities and events off the ground for you to attend and participate in and meet a new bunch of mates.What they do is called peer support. That is people with similar backgrounds and experiences looking out for each other.

Families Need Fathers:
0300 0300 363
www.fnf.org.uk
Explores ways to maintain a child's relationship with both parents following separation and divorce. Gives support to both men and women with contact and residence problems and to find ways to eliminate unnecessary and protracted legal conflict. Information on line, self help groups, membership £20.

Humen
https://www.wearehumen.org/
Mental health charity providing anonymous and non-clinical safe spaces for men to not only talk but to listen and connect on a regular basis. The HUMEN Space is preventative, practical and plain speaking. No lingo or prescriptive advice. Free one hour sessions where men get together to talk honestly, and actually be heard, in a confidential space without risk of judgment or ridicule. The right to talk should never be a privilege. Every Monday 6:30 PM for any man across the UK and online globally. See below for all HUMEN Space locations and The HUMEN Space Online.
https://www.wearehumen.org/the-humen-space/#second-text

James' Place
London: 020 3488 8404 Liverpool: 0151 303 5757 Newcastle: 0191 406 6000
https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/
Offer free, life-saving support to men in suicidal crisis in Liverpool, London and Newcastle.
Their mission is to help men aged 18+ who are in crisis, by providing quick and free access to non-residential therapy and support. They offer an individualised person-centred intervention to men experiencing a suicidal crisis delivered over six to eight face to face sessions with a trained therapist at one of their centres in Liverpool, London or Newcastle. Men can self-refer or be referred by a health professional for short and focused one to one therapy which will help them to understand and recover from a suicidal crisis. James' Place aims to open two new centres in the next few years with Birmingham the next to open.

MANUP
https://www.manup.how/
Men, talking to men. Change peoples thoughts, opinions and minds about men and mental health.
https://www.manup.how/mental-health-videos
Mental health videos. Educational and honest mental health podcasts that show real cases of mental illness or issues and their following success stories. Don't feel alone in your struggles with mental health or mental illness Therefore MANUP encourage you to watch their conversations for more information about how others have handled mental illness and achieved success by simply being aware of the flags. MANUP welcomes anyone who would like to join them in a mental health video or vlog, if this is you, please get in touch with MANUP

Men Matter Scotland
0141 944 7900
https://www.menmatterscotland.org/
Facilitate activities that support positive mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing for men.
Run weekly groups, sessions and activities, facilitated on a peer to peer basis where men can meet in a safe and friendly place, talk openly, feel supported and listened to without judgement within a confidential setting from people who are equal to you - your peers. The charity exists to promote wellbeing and to prevent suicide in men.

Men's Aid
0333 567 0556
https://www.mensaid.co.uk/services-html/
Working with Families and Children
Within the arena of Family Court the charity provides information and advice to all parents who are seeking to maintain a meaningful and responsible relationship with their children after family break down or divorce.Men's Aid aim to assist these parents in their endeavours to achieve equal and just treatment in the Family Courts and from their associated services. They recognise the value of good parenting and support parents who work together for and in the best interests of their children. The charity offers, to it’s members, access to their McKenzie Friend services which provides legal advice and assistance to those involved in legal proceedings in Family Courts in England and Wales.

Mens Group
https://mensgroup.com/
Most men don't get to talk about whats on their minds which can lead to depression, anxiety, poor relationships. Find friendship, self development, online discussions, social events and more

Mens Health Forum
0330 097 0654
https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/
The Men's Health Forum is a charity supporting men's health in England, Wales and Scotland.

Men's Minds Matter
https://mensmindsmatter.org/help-me-im-suicidal/
Information and sources of support if you are suicidal

Men's Pitstop (Surrey area)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/812990543498438/discussion/preview
Men's Pitstop serves as a vital platform where men come together, fostering a supportive community to navigate the complexities and challenges of life. Pitstop is an opportunity for mutual assistance, understanding and positive change. As a peer-to-peer support network, they aim to provide ideas and insights that support individuals rather than providing solutions and resolutions. See facebook link above for further information. 

Men's Sheds Association
0300 772 9626
https://menssheds.org.uk/
Community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. They help reduce loneliness, and isolation and fun. 
Why join a Men's Shed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmI8OckZjCc

Scottish Mens Sheds Association
https://scottishmsa.org.uk/

MenWalkTalk
https://menwalktalk.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/MenWalkTalk/
Matt started MenWalkTalk after realising the many benefits that come with getting outdoors and meeting new people, especially having other men you can speak to about the many things that Men go through. Currently MenWalkTalk groups meet across Sussex, Brighton, London, Devon and Bassetlaw, but new groups are starting regularly! The Charity wants to reduce the number of male suicides, and provide a community of support for guys to know they are not alone and they can speak up.

Men Who Talk
https://menwhotalk.org/
A registered charity working hard to improve the mental health and wellbeing of men across the UK.
For men 18+, free to access online spaces which provide men across the UK an opportunity to talk, socialise and receive support from other men, all whilst being supported by their excellent team of facilitators. Their spaces are judgement free, supportive spaces for men to talk openly. They follow a peer-to-peer support model, which means they actively encourage all their group attendees to support one another, instead of relying on professionals. Their groups aren't therapy or counselling, but can provide a vital space to share, learn and socialise with other like minded men.

MindTheMen
https://mindthemen.co.uk/
MindTheMen are a suicide prevention peer support group where men (18+) can meet in a safe place to talk about their challenges, be listened to and feel supported. Support Groups are in the Glasgow area and also sporting and social activities are offered around the Glasgow area. Weekly zoom meetings also take place available to any man in Scotland. 

MINT - Men In Need Together
https://www.meninneedtogether.org/
The Mission of Men In Need Together is to reduce male suicide by providing a safe space for men to speak without judgement. MINT was founded following a personal tragedy when a close friend Jack Bentley took his own life. They wanted to make sure that no man goes through the same thing and aimed to create something powerful out of sadness.
MINT provides free weekly support groups for all men to attend and talk about their struggles in a peer-to-peer setting. Currently groups in Leeds and Wakefield and they aim to create a group in every city in the UK. Also free online support via their facebook page.   

Men Unite
https://menunite.org/
A group for men to support and encourage each other. If you’ve had a struggle in life, if you have had or are having addiction issues, drugs, drink, gambling, in debt, lost someone you loved, if you feel alone, if you're depressed, Unite Men want to help. They encourage visitors to join their FB private group with over 12,000 members and counting to discuss mental health, find support and be part of an inspiring network of men just like you.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/320358568677751/

Movember
https://uk.movember.com/about/mental-health
Working to reduce the rate of male suicide by 25%

My Black Dog
https://www.myblackdog.co/
A community-focused platform offering peer-to-peer conversations for people who are struggling with mental health challenges and trauma. Use their chat box when you don't know who to talk to. Whether you are experiencing uncertainties, feeling trapped, or simply curious, they are there to support you. Free, online, and available every day.   

Sport In Mind
https://www.sportinmind.org/
The UK’s leading mental health sports charity and deliver physical activity (sport, walking, dance and movement, gardening and exercise sessions) projects in partnership with the amazing NHS in order to aid recovery, promote mental wellbeing, improve physical health, combat social isolation and empower people to move their lives forward in a positive direction.
Taking part in sport or physical activity regularly really does have a positive impact on both our mental and physical health. Some of the many benefits include:

• Helps us to cope with the stresses of daily life more effectively
• Improves our physical health
• Helps us maintain a healthy weight
• Builds confidence and self-esteem
• Meet new people and make friends
• Improves concentration and sleeping patterns
• Give you a natural energy boost
• Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Releases chemicals in your brain that makes you feel happy
  
  Check out their Activity Map here to find sessions near you
  https://www.sportinmind.org/find-an-activity
  
  Check out the areas Sport In Mind currently cover, but they are expanding into other areas in the future
  https://www.sportinmind.org/pages/category/timetables
   

The Proper Blokes Club
https://theproperblokesclub.co.uk/
A community project for men's mental health. the main aim is to break the stigma of men's mental health and start talking openly about it. 
Exercise has been a proven way to help people with any sort of mental health issues by releasing endorphins that make you feel good about yourself. Walking is free so makes a great way to start and gets you out in the fresh air. Currently Walk and Talk groups in London and some surrounding areas but hoping to expand. 

Useful websites

Child Maintenance Options
https://www.gov.uk/making-child-maintenance-arrangement
Find out about child maintenance options and making the arrangement best suited to your circumstances.

Citizen Advice: Complaining about the Child Maintenance Service
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/children-and-young-people/child-maintenance1/contacting-the-cms/complaining-about-the-child-maintenance-service/

Dad Info
https://www.dad.info/
Run by Spurgeons charity, Europe's largest advice and support website for fathers. Also includes a forum discussing many issues along with helpful information.

Only Dads
https://www.onlydads.org/
Not-for-profit social enterprise supporting families through separation




Men Speaking Out

Former footballer and counsellor David Lean speaks out about his traumatic childhood being groomed and abused by former Manchester City Scout, Barry Bennell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2gv2lxz2a8

Dele: "Now is the Time to Talk"
English Professional footballer Dele Alli

In this powerful episode of The Overlap, Gary Neville sits down to have a heartfelt conversation with Dele, as he courageously speaks about his recent circumstances on and off the pitch and the profound challenges he endured throughout his childhood and long-lasting effects of trauma it has caused him. Dele opens up about his recent battle with addiction and his remarkable journey of rehabilitation as well his unwavering aspiration to inspire those facing similar circumstances to speak up. Dele hopes his brave admission can inspire others to seek the help they need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyDL9EUIdy0

The Voices of Men: Mens Mental Health Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0F1cICm9IM
Men speak about about depression, mental health, suicidal thoughts and the importance of speaking to others about how you feel.