‘Connection is so important but is so overlooked’
Amy Hardwick, Health Improvement Manager for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Somerset Council has worked in partnership with Stepladder to improve men’s wellbeing over the past few years. Here, she talks about the project’s impact.
Stepladder is a project that works to improve men’s mental health in Somerset and has worked closely with the Council. What do you think has been its key achievements?
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to attend various events and witness firsthand how Stepladder has positively impacted local communities. It has facilitated important connections for men through its work with local groups that are not solely focused on mental health but provide a space for shared interests. It’s important that these groups come from within the community, allowing participants to bond over activities they enjoy. It means that when men go along it is not badged as a mental health group, however when they are there they might talk about their mental health or how they’re feeling.
Stepladder takes a different approach to men’s mental health, focusing on connection and community, do you think this approach works?
Yes, one of the successes of Stepladder has been the support that its Innovation Fund gives community groups. This small amount of funding has enabled them to bring ideas to life, and then keep going and grow. They also raise awareness of the groups and in time there is an informal spreading of the message of it’s ok not to be ok. The group might not be able to solve the problem, but can direct men to other places who can help and that kind of information exchange is so powerful.
‘One of the successes of Stepladder has been the support that its Innovation Fund gives community groups. This small amount of funding has enabled them to bring ideas to life, and then keep going and grow.’
Do you think it’s possible to measure the true impact of such community-driven efforts?
Measuring the impact of mental health initiatives is definitely challenging, especially when it comes to something as intangible as connection. Hearing people’s voices of their lived experience is important because while you can measure the number of people attending a group, what does that really say? I think that’s where people’s voices, alongside those kind of numbers, really help to tell a story.
How does Stepladder fit into the larger suicide prevention strategy for Somerset?
Connection is so important. Obviously, it’s one of the five ways to wellbeing and there’s clear evidence that it’s really important for our mental health but I think it’s something that it is so overlooked. Loneliness is a real problem in Somerset because we’re such a rural county, so anything that can help bring people together I think is really beneficial in terms of our overall suicide prevention strategy.
We know that men are five times more likely to die by suicide than women, so any projects that focus on creating spaces for men to connect are vital. It is an early intervention that saves lives.
‘Loneliness is a real problem in Somerset because we’re such a rural county, so anything that can help bring people together I think is really beneficial in terms of our overall suicide prevention strategy.’
What are the barriers men face in seeking help for mental health issues?
There’s often a misconception that men don’t ask for help, but in reality, they do, just not in the traditional way. Men are more likely to visit a GP for physical symptoms, like trouble sleeping or stress, rather than directly for mental health concerns. As professionals, friends, and community members, we need to look beyond the surface and be willing to ask deeper questions, to help people open up about what’s really going on.
Many people can’t see a way out of the pain they’re in and so we need to make sure everybody knows there are lots of different options, whatever you’re going through. That’s again what these community groups are really good for because they do help to break down the stigma and slowly over time change the culture, so that people do get support before reaching crisis point.
Looking to join a men’s group in Somerset? Visit this interactive map to see all of the activities in your area Men’s Mental Health Activities – Second Step
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123, email: jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find your nearest branch.