It is now more than a year since local lads Davey Shields and Damian Friel started their MenTalkHealth (MTH) initiative.
Created to openly discuss mental health issues, initially on a series of podcasts, accompanied by a range of guests and their regular original team member Eli Beaton, their campaign has garnered much support from LGBT+ communities and local businesses.
Following a sizeable appearance in the Brighton Pride parade, Davey and friends have broadened their efforts beyond Brighton including articles in the national gay press and appearances on radio.
They have now teamed up with national mental health campaign Time to Change (TtC). I caught up with Davey to find out more about their progress this year and about the upcoming joint event with TtC at The Brighton Dome on Monday December 11.
Davey said: “MenTalkHealth may have started as a way to express myself and share what had driven me to my lowest point. No job, no money and no sense of self-worth at all. Whilst I had made my plan to end things, it seemed others had a different plan for me. I was encouraged to reach out and talk. For me the podcast was about trying to make something positive out of something hopeless and dark.
“I had no idea MTH would be adopted so intensely by the Brighton & Hove communities and beyond. We can forget how lucky we are in our LGBT+ bubble but as a collective community we also have a darker side. Higher rates of mental illness (than our heterosexual counterparts), issues with body image, addiction, fem shaming, transphobia and misogyny.
“With a National Health Service full of heroes, but struggling with limited resources, help is often given to those who have taken an extreme step (such as self harm or attempted suicide). The resources are not necessarily available to those who present as feeling suicidal or unwell. We reach out too late and it is up to us to support those around us before that point. Supporting ourselves and one another at this critical time is so important.
What MTH wants to do, is bring together all the varied LGBT+ communities to work closer to share their resources and experiences of mental health to fight the stigma around talking about our mental health.
The wonderful social movement ‘Time to Change’ can help us do that. This starts by local employers, organisations and individuals leading by example.
The TtC employer pledge enables employers to demonstrate a commitment to change how we think and act about mental health in the workplace and make sure that employees who are facing these problems feel supported.
There are already 500 employers nationally who have signed the pledge. Looking after the mental health of employees makes business sense: tackling stigma can make a real difference to sickness absence rates, presenteeism levels, staff wellbeing and productivity, and retention. Since signing the Employer Pledge, 95% of employers said it had a positive impact on their organisation.
The joint MTH and Time to Change discussion event, is open to local employers and individuals who want to share their experience of tackling, managing and experiencing issues around mental health.
It is being hosted by MTH and held in the Founders Room at The Brighton Dome on Monday December 11, from 11am until 3pm, and includes presentation talks by MTH creator Davey Shields, Director of Time to Change Sue Baker OBE, Author and Trans activist Juno Dawson and GScene columnist Craig Hanlon-Smith.
For further details, email: davey@mentalkhealth.uk
MTH and TtC would like local businesses and individuals to attend and to share their own experiences in discussion groups at the event.
To sign the Employers Pledge, click here:
MTH podcast Episode 10 is available NOW on SoundCloud, iTunes and all good podcast apps. Head to our website for links. @mentalkhealth