A HEXHAM-based charity is being supported by the Community Foundation to help get men across the county talking.

Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services has been given a grant to launch a befriending and listening service which will see volunteers trained to help talk through problems causing men stress or anxiety – and ultimately impacting on their mental health.

“Men are often very focussed on ‘doing’ rather than reflecting. So talking about feelings, or dealing with emotional problems can be very alien,” said Richard Bliss of NDAS, who is seeking to recruit a team of men as befrienders and listeners. “Suicide rates amongst young men are at an all-time high, and with an ageing population, more and more men are finding themselves caring for wives or partners.

“Getting men talking is essential to making things better.”

Mental health charity MIND reported that 2.7 million men in England currently have a mental health problem like depression, anxiety or stress.

The befriending and listening initiative will operate within the men’s services NDAS already offer, which were launched by the charity last October.

Richard has teamed up with psychotherapist, Chip Ponsford, to train the befrienders and listeners.

“The kind of men we are looking for are men who run football teams, perhaps lead a Boys Brigade group, or organise a walking club,” said Richard. “They don’t need to be counsellors, or even have any previous training. The idea is to give men some basic listening and talking skills that they can use in their everyday lives. The initial time commitment is very short, just an informal discussion followed by a training weekend of October 8 and 9.”

Any men who would like more information should contact Richard Bliss on DAPracM1@nda. services or visit the NDAS website at www.nda.services.