Stephen Morgan MP has praised the work of local community project ‘Breakfast OK’ for its efforts to support and protect men’s mental health.
It comes as this year’s Men’s Health Week, running from Nov 14 – 20, focuses on mental health and how important it is that men feel comfortable speaking up about their own mental health and accepting support where it is available.
The Portsmouth MP paid a visit to ‘Breakfast OK’, held at Fratton-based social enterprise ‘MAKE’, which offers a chance for men to meet up and have a chat, rant or simply share their experiences with others in a relaxed environment over breakfast.
The local initiative runs every Saturday from 10am-12pm at MAKE, 1 Cornwall Rd, Fratton, PO1 5AA.
Nationally, male suicide continues to be the biggest cause of death for men under 35, with over three out of four suicides being men.
Over 1 in 10 males in the UK are suffering from one of the common mental health disorders, but are much less likely to access psychological therapies in comparison to women.
On Men’s Mental Health Week, the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, said:
“Men’s mental health is in crisis and the stigma that asking for help and support when you need it is somehow weak or wrong must be stamped out.
“That’s why, during this year’s focus on mental health on Men’s Health Week, I’m proud to support and promote the value of the work local projects like ‘Breakfast OK’ provide to men who need help.
“Hubs like these provide a lifeline for those who need support and I really encourage those who feel they need help to reach out and ask for when they do. It’s ok not to be ok.”
Charities and Organisations that offer support include:
- Men’s Health Forum – https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/
- CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably – https://www.thecalmzone.net/
- Movember -Supporting Men’s Health – https://uk.movember.com/mens-health/mental-health
- Father’s Reaching Out, Father’s Mental Health – https://www.reachingoutpmh.co.uk/
- Men’s Sheds UK – Support for Lonely Older Men – https://menssheds.org.uk/
- Mind – www.mind.org.uk
Sarah Mitas, Manager at MAKE, also said:
“44 years ago, my father lost his life to the silent illness of depression. On the outside he was a kind, hardworking, fun dad. However, the turmoil he must have felt inside to even begin to consider taking his own life must have been overwhelming.
“Breakfast OK? was sparked by wanting to give others who have felt the way he did a chance to talk it through and the chance to realise they are not alone. Suicide doesn’t just take one life. It leaves ripples of overwhelming guilt, sadness and loss throughout families, friends and associates.
“We really want Breakfast OK? to give men the chance to know its ok to talk and you are not alone. If we can help just one father, brother, grandad, uncle, friend it is one more man we will not lose to this devastating illness.”
Darren, a recent attendee of the weekly sessions, added:
“Breakfast Ok? is a great way of letting out any problems that I’m struggling to express to close family. You are not judged by what you say and you can get a huge amount of support by someone just listening.”
