Mental wellbeing affects all of us, but the stigma that surrounds men’s mental health is something that remains sadly persistent.
As Stockport Manbassadors, our ainm is to raise awareness locally of the mental wellbeing issues facing men, helping them find and use the local services and support they require with a bite-size intervention.
The project aims to grow a network of local organisations, across the Stockport Borough acting as men’s health advocates.
You can also tap here to learn more about other Manbassadors projects in Greater Manchester.
Manbassadors project aims to:
- Raise awareness locally of the mental health issues facing men.
- Grow a network of local organisations across GM acting as men’s health advocates – Manbassadors – who look out for and speak with their customers.
- Help men engage with other services that can support their mental health.
- Develop a network of men's social and community activities across GM, creating safe spaces for men to be able to talk about mental wellbeing.
There's a lot of stigma attached to people being homeless
Damian's StoryDamian was made homeless along with his partner and two daughters after privately renting for 15 years. Confiding in others about his circumstances, Damian found their perception of him changed a lot, which took a toll on his confidence. Following six months on the floor of his father’s house, Damian and his family were able to secure housing through Stockport Homes’ Temporary Accommodation Scheme as well as second-hand furniture through the SKylight Furniture Recycling Project.
Did you know that:
- One in six adults (over 16) are experiencing common mental health problems at any one time?
- In the UK, men are only around half as likely as women to access psychological therapies, and it’s also believed they are less likely to speak to family or friends about mental health issues?
- Every week, 125 people in the UK take their own lives?
- Three in four people who commit suicide are male?
- Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK?
Many of us will know of someone close to us who has suffered with their mental health. It might be your dad, your son, your brother, your uncle, your cousin, your friend, your teammate at work, or yourself.
Men traditionally don’t speak out and ask for help when they need it. We want you to know it’s okay not to be okay, you are not alone and support is out there for you.
When things get tough, we look out for each other.
A Manbassador is a men’s health advocate – they look out for and speak with their customers.
The aim of the Stockport Manbassadors project is to try to tackle high rates of male suicide and mental health issues. We are reaching out to all men with a simple intervention of an informal, bite-sized support delivered on a very local level.
Whether you’re a nursery or a pub, a café or a barber, a gym, or a local takeaway – you can play your part.
We also have sports clubs from football, cricket, and even wrestling clubs signed up as Manbassadors, along with community groups and charitable organisations, too.
If you’re a people-facing business, you can look out for your customers/visitors/members, let them know they’re not alone, and raise awareness of men’s mental health issues.
The more people raising the awareness around the project, the more likely we are to reach those in need, when they need it.
If you're an organisation in Stockport, passionate about helping your customers and want to help men in the local community – we’d love to hear from you.
You can volunteer to support the Manbassadors project as an individual:
For more information on volunteering with us, please send us an email using: [email protected]
