Men's mental health group expands to meet demand
BBCA club to support men with mental health issues is having to expand to meet demand.
Andy's Man Club, a national suicide prevention charity that was set up in 2016 and now has more than 270 groups around the country, is increasing its offering in Coventry.
After launching its first weekly meeting in the city last year, it has been so successful that it is about to start running a second group.
Facilitator Scott Elliott said: "It's absolutely mind-blowing, to be honest, the numbers have gone through the roof, and we just can't keep up at the moment."
Andy's Man Club was set up in memory of Andrew Roberts, who took his own life in 2016 at the age of 23.
It says more than 5,800 men attend groups across the country each week.
Mr Elliott, 55, set up Coventry's first group at Coombe Hall, Brandon, in November, five years after he attended his first meeting as a client in Stafford - which he credits with saving his life.
The first session was attended by 25 men. The latest one, on Monday, was attended by 41.
"It just goes to show that it's massively needed," he said.
Next month, another meeting will begin at the Blind Resource Session in Earlsdon.
"So we now have one on two sides of the city," said Mr Elliott. "It's fantastic, to be honest."
Andy's Man Club says suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 54 and, according to the latest figures, there are three times as many suicides among men as there are women.
Mr Elliott said men often struggle to open up about their feelings, and taking the decision to seek help is often the "biggest step" they can take.
"A lot of them feel broken," he said. "To see the change in people when they walk through the door, even that very first night... It's a massive weight lifted off their shoulders."
Andy's Man Club meets at Coombe Hall in Brandon each Monday at 19:00. From 16 June, there will also be a meeting at the same time at the Blind Resource Session in Earlsdon.
Other local groups can be found on the charity's website.
Further help and advice is available at BBC Action Line.
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.