Local Voices
Men in Darlington are talking more openly about their mental health and this conversation matters.
Across the town, we spoke with men who told us how stress, anxiety, grief and isolation had quietly built up over time and how finding the right support changed everything.
For some, that support came through local peer support group's where men can talk openly, without judgement.
You don’t need to have the answers. Sometimes, just talking is enough to take the first step forward.
''I lost my son years ago, and I never got the help then and I just plodded along day by day and then I got really bad and didn't even know man health existed at the time. I turned up and I've been coming ever since, and I say it makes us feel a lot better in myself knowing that other men go through similar stuff as what I am''.
Mark
Member of a local peer support group, Darlington.
''I was very apprehensive, like most men that are when they turn up at the door and I and went in and found it a very welcoming environment. It's very non-judgmental. I was made to feel welcome. Cup of tea, a couple of biscuits, we sat down and listened to other guys' stories. There was a lot of guys who'd either experienced a lot of grief, suicide from either children or other family members but there were other guys that just needed somewhere to talk.
They let me talk, they let me get my breath and they let me continue talking and I felt like a bit of a weight had been lifted. So, the following week again, turned up 6:30 which is every Monday night. Speak to the guys again and slowly, little by little, got a lot of things off my chest and was able to talk them through and I've developed some good friends there now''.
Simon
Andy's Man Club, Darlington.
''I've had ups and downs like every other person has, and since I've come to the group, I find that it 100% helps me. We're all valued members and everything is confidential so you can get stuff off your chest and you know you're in a group with likeminded people even though they are all walks of life''.
Joey