WECAN United In Kind Coach, Nick has recently begun participating in a Men’s Peer Support Group, founded by a volunteer, (Dan), and facilitated through Mind in West Essex
The group, which formed in lockdown, provides a place for working age men to come together and meet other like-minded peers and talk about the things impacting on their everyday lives.
2.7 million men in England currently have a mental health problem like depression, anxiety or stress and their situations have in recent years been exacerbated by the tough economic climate. Despite men and women experiencing mental health problems in roughly equal numbers; men generally feel like they have no one to talk to and that they are on their own. As a consequence, men are much less likely to be diagnosed and treated for mental health problems.
“The group is a really welcoming and supportive space for men who may be feeling stressed, anxious, angry or depressed and may want to talk about job or relationship problems, or other societal issues that are impacting their mental health. The Men’s Peer Support Group is one of many online support groups that have been set up by Mind West Essex, with the help of volunteers over the last year. Others include: bereavement support, disordered eating support, BAME support, and book club and creative writing support groups. I’m very grateful to Dan for having the idea to set up the group, and to Mike, from Mind West Essex, for making it a less daunting and inclusive experience to participate in. Connecting with other people is one of the five ways to wellbeing and in a pandemic, Zoom-based community support groups have provided valued, important forums, for many people.”
Nick Robinson – United in Kind West Essex
The West Essex Mind Men’s Peer Support Forum meets on Monday evenings. For more information on the group, and other local online support forums visit:
www.mindinwestessex.org.uk/services/online-support-groups
or contact / email West Essex Mind on: 01371 876 641 admin@mindinwestessex.org.uk