Men’s Mental Health Support Group Fosters Openness and Well-being

A recently established organization, MAN UP Gloucestershire, provides complimentary weekly assistance aimed at enhancing men’s mental well-being. According to the group, its participants “open up and find themselves in a better place.” Operating as a peer-to-peer support network, MAN UP Gloucestershire offers a secure environment for males aged 18 and above to communicate openly. The group’s facilitators indicate that almost 50% of men refrain from sharing their concerns with friends. Daniel Cox, the group’s founder, observed, “You can almost at times see that physical change in people, from when they first come along.” He further stated, “They might have carried the weight of the world on their shoulders for however long.” MAN UP Gloucestershire recently introduced an additional session in Prestbury, expanding its presence beyond its established sites in Churchdown and Newent. Mr. Cox, who served in the army from 2004 to 2011, established the group drawing on his personal struggles with mental health following his departure from military service. He described his transition back to civilian life as a “massive culture shock.” He commented, “It was difficult adjusting to taking care of myself and losing that sense of team camaraderie.” He added, “I know I’m not unique in that—a lot of [veterans] go through the same thing.” Over the last five years, he has discovered significant fulfillment in operating MAN UP Gloucestershire. He stated, “We don’t make any money from this.” He continued, “But what I gain from helping others—and from being helped myself—is worth as much as any financial reward. It gives me strength to get through another week.” James Gorton, who now serves as the group’s new session coordinator, initially participated in 2022 following a recommendation from his GP. He noted that the group offers men an environment free from judgment to exchange experiences with peers. Mr. Gorton elaborated, “Within a few sessions, men start to open up and find themselves in a better place.” Although the group provides fundamental support, its facilitators are also equipped to refer participants to alternative services should further assistance be required. Additionally, a women’s group named Woman-Up operates in Churchdown at the GL3 Community Hub. All these groups convene on Tuesday evenings between 19:00 and 21:00 GMT. For updates, follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding its external linking policy is available.