Group helping men to talk about problems

Andrew Greenway has set up Andys Man Club for young men to talk about the issues they face

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A NEW club is urging men to get talking in a bid to smash the stigma surrounding male suicide.

Andy's Man Club is a group which creates a safe space for men to talk about any issues or problems.

The group was originally started in Halifax last July by former professional rugby league player Luke Ambler after his brother-in-law Andy Roberts took his own life.

What started as a coffee club for men quickly turned into a group session where people could open up about recent life events and talk through coping strategies.

Sports teacher Andrew Greenway, who works at Newbridge School, established the Oldham version of Andy's Man Club in May which meets every Monday at Oldham Leisure Centre from 7pm.

Andy is encouraging men to come forward and join the group as a way of breaking the silence.

He said: "Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45.

"Around 4,200 men every year, which is one man every two hours, are taken from this world and their families by suicide.

"It is quite unbelievable that there isn't that much awareness.

"What seems to be a big underlying problem for men is their inability to speak out about what is bothering them and their belief that talking about their feelings is a weakness.

"We want to give men somewhere to go where they feel they can talk.

"The benefit to Andy's Man Club is that there are other men who have been in similar situations and can help you with advice on how they have dealt with the situation.

"We meet have a chat and a brew but you don't have to talk, just come and listen."

Andy's Man Club meets every Monday at Oldham Leisure Centre from 7pm.

For more details email oldham@andysmanclub.co.uk or visit www.facebook.com/andysmanclubol.