A CHARITY is encouraging men to come forward and talk with others about their mental health.

Tough Enough to Care is a men’s mental health charity that encourages men to open up about their mental wellbeing, offering them support and a place to talk about their feelings.

The charity offers a range of services to help men deal with their mental health, including weekly support group meetings, which take place at 7pm on Mondays at the Roger Morris Centre on Eastrop Way.

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Darren Fearnley, who is taking over the management of Basingstoke’s support group, explained: “The group meets once a week on a Monday, and it’s an open invitation for men who are struggling to come and either speak about how they are feeling, how they are struggling and seek help or, by the same token, come and not speak.

“There are no expectations, no stigma, no pressures”.

The charity also provides awareness sessions to address the stigma of talking about mental health.

Darren continued: “It deals with the language around suicide.

“There is a misconception that people talking about suicide will somehow lead to suicide, and therefore it becomes sublimated and internalised, and people don’t talk about it - it becomes a dirty secret, for example, families and other affected people can’t open up.

“One of the key missions of the charity is encouraging people to talk about it and to save people."

The charity was founded in 2019 by former soldier Stuart Bratt after two of his friends sadly died by suicide.

Since then, the charity has grown, with branches up and down the UK.

On Thursday, October 28, Stuart came to Basingstoke to meet with Basingstoke and Deane Mayor Cllr Paul Miller, who has included Tough Enough to Care in his charitable appeal.

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Cllr Miller said: “It’s such an essential thing, and this is why I picked it, because my other charity is mainly aimed at women, and that’s The Pink Place.

“So it was complimentary, but men’s mental health is a real big deal, and it’s something we all need to address.”

Stuart said: “The support we’ve had from the mayor, the mayor’s office, and from the community locally has been outstanding.

“From the first day we set the group up we’ve just had nothing but kind words and support from people.”

More information about Tough Enough to Care can be found at toughenoughtocare.help/.