"No judgement" men’s mental health groups are saving lives in Sheffield
“It's made me realise the thoughts that I have on some occasions are the worst part. I’m going to bounce back tomorrow”
A Sheffield man is “giving back to the place that saved his life” by hosting an online group that helps men with their mental health.
Growing up in Shiregreen in north Sheffield, 34-year-old Ryan Flanagan said it was frowned upon to share emotions or let people know you might be struggling.
However, he had suffered with depression since he was 15-years-old when his stepfather passed away.
In 2023 he called the NHS for support, and claims he was initially told there were no services available, but then was asked if he had heard of Andy’s Man Club.
Andy’s Man Club hosts men's mental health support groups around the country online and in-person every Monday evening, including five in Sheffield.
Mr Flanagan reflected on his first session: “I turned up and I said the same thing that every guy says, ‘I won’t talk this week, I’m just listening in.’
"It got to question three, which is ‘anything to get off your chest?’. The facilitator opened up about some stuff that happened during the week.
“I thought, wow. If he can do that, then I can do that. So I opened up, I told the group what was on my mind that week, and it was amazing not to have people judging you."
Mr Flanagan has now been attending for three years and been a facilitator for two, hosting an online group that attracts men from Yorkshire and beyond.
He said facilitating feels like "being able to give back to the place that saved my life".
“There's no judgement. We've all come from similar backgrounds. I say to a lot of people, I can guarantee you haven’t had one thought I haven't had," he said.
"It's made me realise the thoughts I have on some occasions with my depression is the worst part of it.
"It's okay to have a bad day. Because you know you're going to bounce back.
Mr Flanagan would like the recognition of Andy’s Man Club to grow and reach more men with depression or anxiety who need it, including for the NHS to refer more people.
“We broke a new record on Monday, where we had over 7,000 from the entirety of the UK, which is an amazing, amazing accomplishment. But 7,000 is just a stone in a massive river.
"I believe that if you haven't suffered from mental health yourself, then you'll know at least one or two people who have.
"But I would much rather sit and listen to your story than read about something that happens to you in a paper.
"Though suicide feels like an answer, it's the worst answer."
He said another member called Andy's Man Club "the best non-therapy therapy" around.
"A lot of stigma around men is very caveman-ish. We make fire, cook meat. We're not the ones to to open up and talk," he explained.
“I see strength in different things. If you can lift up a car, you're strong. But if you can sit and listen to a man who's breaking down and you help him. I believe that's a lot stronger.”
Find an Andy’s Man Club group here: andysmanclub.co.uk/groups. The groups do not meet on Bank Holiday Mondays.
If you are struggling and need immediate support, call Samaritan's on 116 123.