Organisers hope Cambridgeshire event finds solution to men's mental health stigma
Those attending are being encouraged to open up about their issues
A woman in Cambridgeshire hopes raising awareness of men's mental health now is key to helping them in years to come.
Patients from GP surgeries in and around Wisbech are being encouraged to speak about their issues at an awareness event at Leverington Sports and Social Club today.
Around 100 patients - who are dealing with mental health issues - are invited to attend the event, which provides a platform to access other services they may have not previously known about.
"I want to make things easier"
Tracey Else is a social prescriber at the Wisbech Primary Care Network helping run the event.
"I've got two boys, one's an adult and the other's coming up to adulthood and I see struggles; I want to be able to make things easier and better for future generations as well as for those living life in Wisbech and surrounding areas," she said.
"We feel that perhaps men are not accessing services, but I know there is a high level of suicide in the area so we're keen to try and prevent that moving forward."
People attending the event can share their thoughts and experiences of what they've been going through, such as on an ideas wall and an open discussion on what help is required.
"There's strength in being able to talk to others"
"I'd like to make that change that men can be more open and take the opportunity for them to see that is possible and people can open up without any stigma or discrimination," Tracey added.
"I think there is strength in being able to talk to others.
"A problem shared is a problem halved, and we're ready to hear what people have got to say and to hopefully be able to make a difference."