Men's mental health support group hosts event in Mistley

Walkandtalk4men Manningtree held the event along the water in Mistley and Manningtree.

Founder James Mace recently moved to the Tendring area and wanted to put on an event in the area to create a safe space for men.

He said: “I go to Mistley quite often and realised what a nice community it is, it was quite hot because of the heatwave so the group just had a light stroll along the estuary.

“It was a nice event for the first one and more people have reached out asking for the next walk, so I’m going to make it a regular thing.”

James came up with the idea for the group seven years ago after suffering from depression due to deaths in his family

In 2013, he lost his mum to bowel cancer and six months later his ten-year-old nephew died from a brain aneurism.

FOUNDER - James Mace created the group to support men's mental health.

James added: “I had a complete breakdown and tried to pretend everything was OK.

“I found it hard to accept my grief which turned into anxiety and depression, I turned to alcohol which made things worse and I didn’t feel like I could open up and talk to anyone.

“Eventually I broke down and went to the doctor who was understanding. He referred me to a grief counsellor which is when I started opening up.

“This made me want to help others who were struggling with anything and nothing is easier than a walk in the park, so that’s when I came up with the idea.”

Since its inception, the group has gone from strength to strength with volunteers popping up around Essex, in Brighton, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and other venues.

James is also a community ambassador for the Movember Foundation and hosted fundraising events with his father.

Sadly, his died in July 2021 of prostate cancer and this has spurred James on even more in his mission to improve men’s health.

For more information on the work James is doing visit walkandtalk4men.com.