Men could soon gain mental health support with Andy's Man Club Dumfries expansion
The club offers men a safe space to open up and talk about their struggles.
Men in Dumfries could soon have a new place to talk about mental health, as Andy's Man Club plans to expand into the town.
Right now, the only group in the region is in Annan, where weekly sessions have been running since last September.
The club gives men a chance to open up in a safe space about anything they are struggling with.
Area Lead for the region and Cumbria, Chris Green, says men need this kind of support more than they realise:
“Guys just need to talk – the suicide rates are just far too high. Part of that is they don’t speak, they say they’re always fine, so having a group on your doorstep is sometimes easier.
“I know there is a need for it in Dumfries. It’s just a matter of getting it right and getting guys to understand what it’s about.”
The group currently meets every Monday at 7pm at the Market Hall, except on an English Bank holiday.
Green says some of the things they do at these sessions to help people open up is pass the ‘talking ball’.
“We’ve got a ball that we use to pass around, but if you’re not ready to talk, you pass that ball – there’s no pressure. Just being in that room and seeing you’re not alone and other guys are going through similar circumstances or struggling with things completely different, that can help you as well. When you think it’s your time to talk, talk.”
He added in his interview with Greatest Hits Radio that there is no judgment from anyone; it’s a safe space, and opening up can go a lot further than you may think.
“That guy might end up seeing a difference; he might get on better with the family at home, or get better attendance at work, or they just feel happier and want to help others in the community and just see life differently.
“Attending a group like Andy’s Man Club can open so many other doors that can benefit them as well.”
During the interview, Green revealed he got involved with AMC after losing his son in 2020.
He found that talking about how he was feeling to people other than his family really helped him.
“It’s easier to offload to strangers than it is to your loved ones because you don’t want to burden them and make them worry too much. So, sometimes I found it easier to offload to a stranger – and those strangers became good friends, eventually. I’ve got so many good friends now through AMC that I can lean on and talk to, which I’ve never had before.”
More information about Andy’s Man Club Annan can be found online and on Facebook.
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