A new Men’s Mental Health Group launches this month across CHFT, to de-stigmatise, offer support and spread awareness about men’s mental health.
General Manager, Dom Bryan, started the group to help create a culture within CHFT where men feel supported to discuss mental health issues. There will be upcoming events at both HRI and CRH towards the end of the month - so watch this space.
Each month the group hopes to share a story of someone’s experience around men’s mental health, and this month we’re starting with Dom.
He said: “I wanted to share my own story to show how committed I am to creating a positive culture around this. As you can imagine, showing vulnerability like this can be quite daunting, however, speaking out is the first step (and may be the most important) along the journey when dealing with mental health issues.
“I have dealt with anxiety myself for around six years. It is only within the past year I have decided to reach out for support with this. I self-referred to our Occupational Health Team who were readily available to offer support and direct me to services available. I have since begun Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to help understand myself and my anxiety more.
“We all experience mental health issues from time to time, at all different levels. Whether it is anxiety, depression, stress, panic attacks and so on. I am proud to say I can speak freely about my own struggles, and I urge anyone who sees this to do the same.”
A Men’s Wellbeing Programme has been created and there’s something happening every month, such as connect and learn sessions, peer support meetings and social events like football and walking. An official launch will be taking place this month and stalls will be in the main entrances at both hospitals for people to find out more information about men’s mental health and to find out how to get involved with the Men’s Mental Health Group. We'll share more on this in the coming weeks.
If you would like to contact someone directly, you can email any of the following colleagues:
- Dominic Bryan
- Jill Palmer
- Samantha Lindl
- Thomas Bevan
- Nicola Hosty
- Terry Gamble
- Thomas Ladlow
- Jonathan Drury