ANDYSMANCLUB takes its name from Andrew Roberts, a man who sadly took his own life at age 23 in early 2016. Andy’s family had no inkling that he was suffering or struggling to the extent that he would do this, and as a result, they looked deeper into male suicide and men’s mental health.
They soon discovered that male suicide is the biggest killer of men under 54, with male mental health surrounded by well-ingrained cultural stigma in the UK.
Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler, Andy’s mum and brother-in-law, came up with the idea of ANDYSMANCLUB, a group where men aged 18 and above can speak openly in a judgement-free, non-clinical environment.
In mid-2016, nine men met in a small room in the stereotypical Yorkshire town of Halifax, with a simple aim: talking through their issues and helping each other deal with their mental health.
All in attendance agreed there was a magic in that room that had to be shared. This was the start of a movement that has grown faster than anyone first involved could have ever imagined.
Fast forward to now, ANDYSMANCLUB has hundreds of groups across the UK and online.
Lucas, Head of Partnerships at ANDYSMANCLUB, said: “Over our ten years of operation, we have seen thousands of men come through our doors in search of support and a place to open up. We have proven over the years that the statement that men don't talk is a myth, when they are given a space to do so, men definitely talk and the fact that men open up every Monday night at 7pm in hundreds of locations nationwide reinforces this. Coming forward and opening up on issues ranging from day to day stresses to long-term trauma helps men find their own solutions to the issues they face and to find common ground and support each other. Here's to the next 10 years and beyond!”
As ANDYSMANCLUB enters its second decade, their mission remains the same. They want to continue to break down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, help men through the power of conversation and stop any more families from going through the absolute heartbreak caused by suicide.
To find out more, email [email protected] or head to www.andysmanclub.co.uk
