Supporting men’s mental health

19 October 2020

A new service has been set up in Humberside to tackle the stigma around men’s mental health.

The Westerly Club is open to Humberside Police officers and staff and aims to help men talk about their wellbeing and to find support, and Federation members.

Set up by Grimsby-based Fortis Therapy and Training, the Westerly Club is a safe environment where men can talk, access support and be part of a community.

It’s open to over 16s and, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, is currently being run on Facebook. You can join by requesting access to the group.

Alexis Powell-Howard, Fortis Therapy and Training director, BACP-accredited psychotherapist and TEDx Speaker, said: “Societal expectations of what men should be and that they should be able to cope have taken their toll and currently there is nothing out there to bridge the gap for people who perhaps aren’t ready for one-to-one therapy but need, or would like, to access support.

“There’s nothing in the way of a support group for men in its own right – and that’s where the Westerly Club comes in.

“The Westerly Club will be space for men to support men. There are so many younger men, teenagers even, who are just wanting to hang around with blokes, to feel included while at the other end of the spectrum there are the older generations who are lonely.

“For us, this is about empowering men by creating a club which evolves into what they want it to be; where they can find support, genuine empathy and level of interaction they don’t get elsewhere.

“We already support those working in construction, logistics, renewables industries, the police, law firms, schools, food manufacturing, the military, sportsmen and the agricultural and chemical industries.  Many of these are hard, physical and often unsociable industries to work in and many are potentially stressful sectors to work in too. Finding a way to reach out to all of those industries, those hard industries was vital.”

Every fortnight, The Westerly Club will host guest speakers or interviews via Facebook Live or Zoom, giving the group different perspectives on men’s mental health.

For more information, or to register your interest in supporting The Westerly Club as a partner, ambassador or speaker please contact Fortis Therapy and Training on 01472 241794 or email enquiries@fortistherapy.co.uk