Men's Mental Health Awareness Month: Groups offering support for men in Watford

November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness of the mental health challenges that men face and encourage them to reach out for support if they need it.

There are free services in Watford that men can contact for mental health support if they are struggling. 

Man Made is a support group set up by James Knott in 2023. After being diagnosed with Anorexia nervosa in 2015, James realised that there was a lack of peer to peer support for men struggling with their mental health, which inspired him to create a safe space of his own. 

The group is open to men over the age of 18 and sessions are run once a fortnight at The Hive building in Leavesden Country Park in Abbots Langley.

James Knott, the founder of Man Made, said: “I think a lot of men struggle to open up and talk, and sometimes we fall victim to thinking we're in it alone. But nine times out of ten, there are other men out there going through similar cases and similar scenarios.

“We've seen men come in with drug and alcohol misuse or who are depressed or have bad anxiety and PTSD. And also a lot of men, which shocks me the most, are victims of domestic and violent abuse. From listening to those men, there is very little out there for men in those situations and scenarios. Men are always seen as that alpha male, that character that needs to be strong. But there's a lot of men out there who are suffering and there's not enough places to go. I think a lot of the time we're relying on the NHS to be that provider, but ultimately if we want to change, we have to put the work in ourselves.”

To learn more about Man Made, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092691067990&ref=xav_ig_profile_web or their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/man.made.uk/?hl=en  

Man On! runs sessions twice a week in Watford and Rickmansworth. Photo credit: Watford FC's Community Sports and Education Trust

Another programme in the area that supports men with mild to moderate mental health conditions is Man On!, which is run by Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust and blends sports and support group sessions twice a week. The sessions combine an hour of physical activity, followed by a 30 minute wellbeing conversation.

Ross Dommett, a health and wellbeing project officer who works on the Positive Minds and the Man On! programme at the Watford FC's Community Sports and Education Trust, said: “Man On! is like a community group. So we help build up a support network for those that might need them by developing friendships and a network of like-minded people, provide a safe space for men to voice any worries or doubts and also receive peer support. And then if needed, myself or other members of the team can help to signpost those individuals onto specialist organisations.

“If you're worried about coming to Man On! or you're a bit nervous, all the gents, including the staff, are really welcoming. I know it can be quite daunting, but there's no level of stress with your ability or your fitness. If there's any time you want to sit out or you're just not feeling up to it, that is absolutely fine and the coaches and players are really supportive of that.”

If you’re interested in signing up for the Man On! programme, email Ross Dommett at ross.dommett@watfordfc.com. Sessions are every Monday at the Meriden Community Centre in Watford from 3pm until 4:30pm and every Wednesday at the William Penn Leisure Centre in Rickmansworth from 6pm to 7:30pm.