Men's Mental Health Support in Kirklees

Press Release

December 2022

Creative films showcase positive impact of mental health support for men in Kirklees

A recent event has premiered a series of short films that showcase the positive impact of the mental health support services available for men living in Kirklees.

Councillor Musarrat Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, attended the event, hosted by CLEAR Men’s Talk and Kirklees Council, on the 30th of November at Connect Housing in Dewsbury.

Part of mental health and wellbeing services provider, Community Links, CLEAR Men’s Talk is a creative advocacy project for men who have experienced mental health issues that uses applied theatre and filmmaking to reduce stigma, signpost support and encourage men to talk about their mental health.

Commissioned by Kirklees Public Health, the project – named IN Focus – showcased films featuring men from mental health support groups including Andy’s Man Club, Luke’s Lads, Platform 1 and Men’s Talk – exploring how they got involved with the projects and what keeps them coming back.

Stuart Hawkes, Community Engagement Lead for CLEAR Community Links Engagement and Recovery, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the range of support available to men in Kirklees. The films show that projects providing somewhere for men to go, somewhere where other men have been through the same things, and that give men something to do, really do have a positive impact.”

Councillor Musarrat Khan said: “It was an honour to speak at the Men’s Talk Digital event, especially as it’s one led by people with lived experiences. Suicide rates in Kirklees are highest amongst men, and we have a long-term focus to reduce those numbers. That’s why, with a co-ordinated approach from the Kirklees Suicide Prevention Action Group (SPAG) we aim to work collaboratively with organisations across the board, to identify any gaps and improve provision for men’s well-being across Kirklees.”

Ruth Kettle, CEO at Inspire North – parent organisation of Community Links – said:
“We have seen that having a creative outlet for men to discuss mental health is life changing and the products created uniquely capture their lived experiences.

It’s brilliant that the different support networks for men in Kirklees have come together for this important project and we hope to work together again in future.”

-ENDS-

Issued on behalf of Inspire North by Alex Mason, PR consultant.
Email alex@alexdmasonpr.com or call 07983 726 119