Eastbourne mental health support group – Mankind – offers men a safe space to talk

The group was set up in January this year by friends Ian Pickard and Paul Roskilly.

Initially they would meet monthly at a local café but then the Covid-19 lockdown forced them to think of other ways to reach out to men who might be in need of a chat.

Undeterred and realising that the current climate may increase people’s anxiety and stress, Ian and Paul quickly moved the meetings to weekly via Zoom with additional support offered via a WhatsApp group.

These weekly meetings are free and take place every Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Each week up to ten men will join in from a variety of backgrounds all reaching out, talking openly, and more importantly supporting each other.

Ian has been running his own health, safety and training consultancy IDP Safety Services Ltd for more than 20 years and became a qualified mental health first aid instructor last year.

“Current statistics show that two people a day commit suicide in the construction industry alone and sadly I’ve known of a few men locally over the last few years who have taken their own lives.

“I want to do whatever I can to help lower these numbers and hopefully this group will help play a part.”

Paul served for 30 years as a police officer.

Events during his career had an impact on his own mental health and he received treatment for PTSD. In recent years he has become a strong advocate for mental health support and has volunteered as a Samaritan since 2017. He is also a mental health first aider.

He is a director of The Wellbeing and Performance Company, formed to encourage and support companies in recognising a mentally healthy workforce is a more productive one.

One of the groups regulars has recorded a video which can be viewed on Mankind’s Facebook page.

It’s an open and moving account of why he decided to join in the weekly sessions and how it has helped him personally.

If you want to join in the next meeting find the Mankind Facebook page or call Ian on 07793 431665 to receive the Zoom meeting ID for the next session.