Fife men urged to open up at new support group

Andy’s Man Club Scotland has launched a new support group in St Andrews, meeting every Monday between 7-9pm at the Mansefield Building on St Mary’s Place.

The meetings have now been running for the last three weeks, with 38 men attending and discussing their mental health.

The original club was formed in 2016 after a Halifax man took his own life. Clubs have now popped up across England and Scotland, with the St Andrews one the sixth in the country.

The aim is to get men to open up about their mental health and help tackle the stigma.

“We offer a safe space for guys to come in and get stuff off their chest,” said organiser Alex McClintock.

“You don’t have to have mental health issues or suicidal thoughts to come along.”

At the meetings the men sit in a circle and pass around a stress football. They are asked five questions about their week, covering how it has gone and possible coping mechanisms.

Those who attend talk about a range of issues, from problems at work to disputes at home – things they might not talk about with their male friends.

“Men can talk about everything, but you’ll never talk about what is going on in your head,” Alex said. “It takes a big man to show emotion. I’m comfortable crying in front of 20-30 men.”

The meetings are open to men 18 and over. Those who attend do not have to use their real name and do not have to talk. What is said at the meetings is confidential.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/andysmanclubscotland.