New research shows that men often find it hard to communicate their struggles at their favourite meeting places – pubs and bars. Now, a men's mental health charity is partnering with pubs to help men open up.
On average, men spend four hours a week at the pub, discussing sport and telling jokes, but only 15% would talk about how they really feel. So, HUMEN has partnered with Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Bars to bring mental health experts to these gathering spots and encourage open conversation among the male population.
This initiative will culminate in the UK’s first Pub Pilgrimage on Sunday, December 4, taking place in 13 locations across the country. Supporters of the charity will embark on a 5,151m walk, each step representing a man who lost their life to suicide in the past year.
HUMEN is a UK charity dedicated to reducing the number of male suicides. The partnership with 15 pubs aims to raise awareness for its annual Rise Against Suicide campaign.
HUMEN's own research found that 29% of men will meet their friends at a pub or bar after a stressful day. During these meet-ups, 63% will discuss sport and 54% share jokes together, but only 15% will discuss each other’s feelings.
More than a third (37%) said they did not "want to bring the mood down" and, perhaps most crucially, half (48%) admitted to not knowing how to help a friend, even if they did express their feelings openly in such a scenario. Furthermore, around one in 10 (13%) admit they would be uncomfortable and would dislike these situations if they were to arise.
More significantly, one in twenty men feel like they have no one to talk to. It is feelings such as these that can lead to severe consequences.
More than 5,000 men in the UK and Ireland took their own lives in the last year, accounting for 74% of all suicides. However, men are half as likely to seek out the help and support they need for their mental health.
Pubs in the following cities are involved in the initiative: London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, Brighton, Nottingham, Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool and Bournemouth. Pubs are the cornerstone of many communities, so HUMEN believes they are the perfect place to encourage dialogue and identify mental health concerns.
The charity does recognise that there are links between alcohol abuse and poor mental health – indeed, HUMEN’S research also shows that more than two thirds (67%) of the men polled have been to the pub for a drink by themselves, with 35% admitting they have done this many times – but HUMEN knows that you don’t have to be teetotal to have good mental health, and that working with pubs is an opportunity to champion healthy relationships with alcohol.
Founder and actor River Hawkins said: “We all need friendly spaces to talk, listen and connect. Pubs are the cornerstone of communities, but as our research tells us, they are currently wasted on men – who would seemingly prefer to talk about anything other than their personal trials and tribulations.
"We truly believe that this type of gathering place can play an important role in addressing suicide and mental health, if we just harness it for good, rather than the traditional ‘drink and forget’ mentality that plagues male social circles. This is what our partnership with Heineken aims to achieve this December.
"This is the second year of our Rise Against Suicide and we intend to Rise every year for years to come. Talking openly to friends, family & professionals are essential steps to overcome the hidden issues and barriers in our quest to lower the number of suicides and in turn, lower the number of metres we walk next year.”
For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.
