Grass Roots Mental Health Clubs for Men

The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 is loneliness, with the Mental Health Foundation saying 1 in 4 adults feel lonely some or all of the time. Loneliness is also one of the key issues when it comes to suicide, particularly male suicide; men keeping their problems to themselves and seeking isolation is life-threatening.

There are a number of excellent mental health clubs for men, or which include men by specialising in ending loneliness and integrating people easily in support structures. Here are a few of our favourites in the UK:

• We Are Beyond

Set up by mental health activist Jonny Benjamin MBE, Beyond specifically supports youth mental health and builds talking to boys about mental health right into the heart of their programming. Check out their regular virtual and in person events.

1) Andy’s Man Club

Started by ex-Rugby pro Luke Ambler after the death of his brother-in-law, Andy’s Man Club is an extraordinary organisation that has spread all across the country and is renowned for its straight talking approach to men’s health in its group sessions, as well as the impact it has had on thousands of men. Drop in sessions run nationwide every Monday night.

2) BLAM UK

An innovative organisation set up to recognise and support the Black British Community, who regularly run workshops that include a free Zuri Therapy Workshop where they “teach racial wellness for the purpose of tackling the effects of racial trauma.”

3) Talk Club

Another impactful organisation that empowers men to open up and supports them when they do. Founder Ben Akers promotes the idea of mental fitness as a means to take preventative action against suicide, with the idea that men should keep their minds healthy just as much as their bodies. Again regular club events nationwide.

4) Lions Barber Collective

Cleverly the Lions Barber Collective have spread grassroots mental health support for men by simply training up the people who are in a great position to help: barbers. Started by Tom Chapman in 2015, they have had a pioneering role in bringing suicide awareness into the public eye over the last few years and continue to implement their BarberTalk training around the country.

5) Men’s Sheds

Another legendary pioneer of men’s support over the last decade, Men’s Sheds are “community spaces for men to connect, converse and create.” Based around making stuff as a means to bring lonely or struggling men together, this is a simple and yet enormously important organisation that brings new leases of life to those who most need it.