In praise of Andy’s Man Club

 


Yet another new venue as the management team works hard to keep our face-to-face meetings going. 15 men in a circle, wearing masks and socially distanced. Behind one mask I see a familiar face and sit down next to him. This friend came to regular meetings before lockdown but wasn’t keen on using the Internet meetings. I knew most of the people in the meeting but he only knew me. ‘I’m pleased you are here,’ he said. ‘It’s a big step coming through that door again, so recognising a friend does make a difference.’ For most of us, the hardest step is the first step, coming through that door into a meeting of unfamiliar faces. The men in that room know what has brought you to this door and at some point have been in your position. There is very little you can say that they have not already heard or thought and they are your future friends. Talking openly to other men is not a cure for mental health problems but it can prevent you from sinking to the most painful of depths. You will not be judged and from my own observations, you will begin to feel stronger.

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