A new charity focusing on men’s mental health has launched in Wirral.
Mersey Mind Project aims to tackle levels of loneliness, isolation and the rise of mental health crisis among local men.
The charity has gained the backing of the Mayor of Wirral, Brian Kenny, and focuses on early intervention and building a supportive community.
The mission is to grow a strong network of local men who can support one another through the ups and downs of life.
One of the charity’s Trustees, Sam Roberts, said: “Men’s mental health is something we can’t afford to ignore.
“Through relaxed and informal meet ups, getting outdoors in nature, sport and social events, we aim to tackle the issue in a non-clinical and accessible way.”
Weekly drop-in sessions will be available every Tuesday at the Sandbrook Centre in Moreton, each is supported by Magenta Living, offering a relaxed, non-judgemental environment where local men can talk, connect, and decompress.
The organisation is also running a range of other activities, including football sessions, group hikes, social events and cycle therapy bike rides, aimed to help boost wellbeing through social connections and physical exercise.
Sport England granted the group £14,000 as part of its ‘movement fund’. Without this money Mersey Mind would not be able to put the football session on.
PS4 sessions will also be launched for members who are less active. This will be used as an informal safe space to connect and support everybody.
Charity organisers hope that by creating regular opportunities to connect, more men will feel comfortable to build a strong community group, speak openly about their mental health and seeking support before reaching crisis point.
Chris Guy, Chairman of Mersey Mind Project, said: “I think since Covid happened a lot of people are working from home, and I think even to this day people are still trying to recover from the isolation from the time that changed in their lives and anxiety, stress, and depression is a big thing in Merseyside.
“When something bad happens the football community come together regardless of who supports Everton in Liverpool from here, and everyone comes together and offers their support.
“They are very proud of the stigma beyond speaking that their struggling is very strong still and we’re just trying to lower those barriers for them to speak about their mental health issues.”
With suicide remaining one of the leading causes of death among men under 50 in the UK, the organisers encourage any local man who may be struggling to explore social connections to help their mental health.
Featured image: George Podmore
