A Co Fermanagh man has used his own experiences with depression to set up a social group for men which explicitly avoids activities including sports and alcohol.
Lee Orman, 38, from Bellanaleck said he wanted to provide a group for men who do not feel some typical ‘male’ activities are for them.
Having moved to England a number of years ago, Lee said he had suffered from depression due to loneliness for a number of years.
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However after beginning a new job with friendly faces he said it was the boost he needed to come out of his shell more.
Now he wants to encourage other men in the Co Fermanagh area to open up in a more welcoming environment, with the group hosting its first meet up in Blackslee Waterfall later this month.
“I lived in England for five years and when I first went there enthusiasm was high but I got lonely and homesick very quickly,” Lee told MyFermanagh.
“I missed my social life and my family back home and went into a bout of depression for around two years.
“I ended up moving jobs and met a lot of people from all over the world who ended up welcoming me into their own groups.
“In the end I really started to enjoy myself there and this is a big part of my motivation - a lot of people relocate here to Fermanagh as well and could be in the same situation."
A self-confessed football fan himself, Lee said he recognises that it and other sports are not always the ideal place for some men to socialise.
“I know myself it is hard for men to socialise and meet new people, in pubs and things like that there is alcohol which can have a negative aspect to it as well,” he adds.
“This is something I have been thinking about for a few years now and I’ve just decided to go for it.
“I had imposter syndrome for a while and even deleted the page I had set up before setting it up again - if it helps one person I will be delighted.”
After setting up his group, the Fermanagh Men’s Social Group, Lee said he has been overwhelmed with the amount of local men who have been getting in touch to get involved.
“I have been really surprised by the response it has received,” Lee says.
“There are a lot of issues around mental health these days among men, and many of those who are looking to get involved are men in their 30s/40s who maybe struggle in traditional environments.
“We are just really looking forward to getting started now and seeing how it can have an impact on people’s lives.”
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