Publish date: 18 May 2023
Andy Palmer Logistics Co-Ordinator for the Community Equipment Service shares his mental health story.
I have struggled with my mental health for as long as I can remember, often feeling lost, alone, sad and suicidal. There is such a stigma with mental health, especially in men. Woman are the opposite, they will discuss how they feel, with friends or family to try and resolve their issues and seek support.
I am writing my story to try and break that stigma, I am not afraid to say I do struggle with my depression, often on a daily basis. Last year was probably the worst bout of depression I have ever had, losing both parents in such a short space of time tipped me over the edge of suicide.
That was until I found a peer support group called Andy’s Man Club (AMC). We meet every Monday, there are four standard questions:
- Introduction, why you attend AMC if this is your first time, how you heard about AMC
- How has your week been?
- Positive from the week
- Something to get off your chest
We then have a break for 10 minutes and the remaining two questions are from AMC headquarters to lift the mood.
To sit and talk to men who feel exactly the same as I do is incredibly uplifting. I feel accepted by the group and I don’t need to wear that mask I wear ever single day just to fit in.
I have found some amazing friends who like me feel we need to promote AMC to the fullest, to break the men’s mental health stigma because #itsokaytotalk.
If you would like to find out more about Andy's Man Club, see the attached poster.