Redefining strength: men supporting men in mental health
Explore how men’s peer support groups and male support workers are reshaping what it means to be strong by creating safe spaces for connection.
For many men, seeking help for mental health challenges can feel like an uphill battle, weighed down by societal expectations of masculinity. Yet, the presence of male support workers in mental health spaces is helping to break down barriers, showing that vulnerability is a form of strength.
Through their work, these men support others and together reshape what it means to be strong.
male voices in mental health support
For men working in mental health, their role is often as much about leading by example as it is about providing direct support. Barry Kydd, an Outreach Worker for the Resilience service at Change Mental Health, reflected, “Being a man in this role often helps bridge the gap for other men, making it easier for them to engage with support services. Drawing from a volume of my life events and discussing these from the perspective of a man who has struggled through them but found a way out always proves hugely valuable when making connections.”
However, the perception of care work as a predominantly female vocation presents challenges. “Many men wouldn’t consider a career in support or care work as a legitimate option for themselves, which has clear implications for recruitment and retention of staff,” noted Neil Walker, an Advice and Support Officer at Change Mental Health. He added that “there are so many benefits to having more male staff in front-line practice, delivering support to vulnerable men.”
breaking down barriers to connection
For many men, societal expectations create significant obstacles to seeking and sustaining engagement in mental health support. One attendee at the men’s group at Change Mental Health’s resource centre in Stranraer shared “The stigma of admitting to having a mental health issue makes it really difficult. You feel like you have to hold on to your emotions because men are seen as the strong ones.”
This perception of strength often leads to isolation, as Hamish Kidd, a Support Worker for Change Mental Health in Fife, explained: “Men often impose isolation on themselves. Stigma and self-stigma are part of the issue, but there’s also the social awkwardness and fear of being perceived as a potential threat, which can make it very difficult to make men feel welcome.”
the role of peer support
Peer support groups, like the men’s group, provide a vital space where men can connect, share and support one another. For many, these groups have become a lifeline. One participant explained, “Being in the peer support group helps me not to be alone and gives me much-needed company.”
For some, the peer support group can provide a space to discuss previously hidden issues. “I felt nervous before attending the group, but it gave me the confidence to talk to other men about things I’d kept bottled up,” shared another participant.
The groups also help men regain confidence and purpose. “I look forward to the men’s group. It gives me a reason to get up and out of the house,” shared one attendee. The group provides a space for others to share issues they wouldn’t discuss elsewhere openly. “Once I started to attend group meetings and get to know other members, I could feel my confidence growing. I listened to other men discussing their wellbeing and I finally felt I wasn’t alone living with mental health challenges,” said Sam, another member of the group.
“Being with the other men in the group has given me the courage and the strength to talk about my mental wellbeing and my feelings.
“Listening to men discuss emotions has given me the confidence to open up about my own thoughts and emotions. Having a male support worker there to guide the group has made it easy to talk, be ourselves and have fun.”
William, an attendee of the men’s group at Change Mental Health’s resource centre in Stranraer
Derek Morrison, a Support Worker for in Stranraer for Change Mental Health, who also runs the men’s group, emphasised the unique benefits of peer-to-peer support. “It’s a group based on peer support where men can talk openly, freely and confidently to their peers without judgement,” he explained. “The group creates an environment where no one faces mental health challenges alone.”
redefining strength through vulnerability
For many men, the journey to better mental health begins with a shift in how they view strength. Tony, one of the men’s group participants, shared: “Keeping it all boxed in only makes things more painful. I don’t think it is good to keep it all in. Having the other guys in the group has given me the strength to be open and talk about how I feel.”
Barry echoed this sentiment: “Men very often think that there is no point asking for help and that if they can’t fix it themselves, then there isn’t a solution to that problem. We are stubborn, very often too stubborn to admit that things are difficult and that actually, we could use a little help.”
This redefining masculinity – moving away from the traditional idea of stoic independence – can lead to profound changes, even in unexpected areas like career choices.
Neil reflected on how working with other men to challenge these norms inspired his own journey: “While working in banking, I volunteered as an adult education tutor in Glasgow, supporting five men with varying degrees of mental health difficulties to improve their literacy and numeracy skills. I got so much from this work that when we moved back to Edinburgh in 2012, I decided to change career and get a Health and Social Care & Mental Health Studies degree.”
a cultural shift in mental health
The work of men’s peer support groups and male support workers extends beyond individual participants; it challenges societal norms. By creating spaces where men feel supported and understood, activities like the men’s group pave the way for a healthier, more open dialogue around mental health.
Neil reflected on the current trends in the third sector: “The growth of voluntary services such as Andy’s Man Club or Men’s Shed demonstrates that the need exists for spaces where men can be a little more honest with themselves and each other about how their mental health can affect them.” Barry adds: “Me being a man doing this job might make the difference for some people looking to find effective and understanding support.”
For Tarkan, a participant in the men’s group in Stranraer, the experience has been life-changing: “Being part of the men’s peer support group changed my view about being strong and that does not mean suffering in silence.”
support
Our Advice and Support Service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm and 1.30pm), where advisers can signpost you to local support that most fits your needs, including our Change Mental Health services. We offer initial advice on money worries and help to deal with emergencies.
Contact 0808 8010 515, email us at advice@changemh.org or fill out the enquiry form on the Advice and Support Service page.
