An organisation battling against the stigma of male suicide want to "normalise the conversation" and encourage people to know they're not alone.
Evolving Mindset CIC was set up by brothers Andrew and Phil Noon in 2019 with an "an ambition to prioritise positive mental health". The two brothers from Halewood previously spoke with the ECHO and detailed how they started the not for profit organisation, based in Prescot, after previously struggling with their own mental health.
Andrew said he experienced anxiety and panic attacks in 2013, while Phil added he spiralled into depression following the end of a relationship. The pair said these experiences have helped them shape the organisation and now they have offered free support to over 2,000 people with their bespoke mental health programmes.
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Speaking again with the ECHO, Phil said although the organisation helps anyone who needs it, Evolving Mindset has focused on supporting men aged between 40 and 50. He told the ECHO the most important part of their work is ensuring people who might be struggling know that support is available.
Phil told the ECHO : "We have a slogan that we might not be able to fix everyone's problems, but we promise they won't have to go through it alone. We want people to know that they're not alone and the right support can be there for them.
"I went through it myself and I felt completely isolated and shut off. But you don't have to suffer in silence. Evolving Mindset's main aim is to educate people and raise awareness so people know they don't have to suffer in silence. We want to normalise the conversation around mental health."
Phil added the work of the organisation is more important than ever following the deaths of several men in the Huyton area. He said on Thursday, September 29, 52 men came to one of Evolving Mindset's sessions - their record attendance at one time.
To help break down the stigma surrounding men's mental health, the group use sport as a means of bringing the men together. The group have mental health support on sight and encourage the men to open up and speak together.
Phil told the ECHO : "There is a stigma attached to men that we have to be tough and strong. But these stigmas create barriers when it comes to accessing support. We want people to know you're not weak to ask for help.
"We're proactively looking to remove the barriers. Take the 52 brave men who visited us on Thursday. I call them brave because they've made the decision to walk through the door to say 'I'm struggling'".
Phil points to a "perfect storm" at the moment, where "there's no respite from the negativity" as people struggle with the effects of the pandemic and worries surrounding the cost of living crisis. But Phil reiterated "we believe in the process" adding "if you reach out for help you can get the support you need".
He added: "Every suicide is preventable. We help people identify what's driving down their mental health and help put some proactive steps in place.
"There's always hope. There's always light at the end of the day."
Evolving Mindset meet at Volair Leisure Centre every Thursday.
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