A LEADING mental health charity is really raising the bar when it comes to offering help to men who are reluctant to ask for it.

Mentell provides support groups in a bid to help men open up about their mental health, and one of its most successful promotions is its ‘Turn Your Bar Blue’ campaign.

The campaign is open to all bars and pubs willing to display marketing materials for the first week of every month – with 40 per cent of men attending groups doing so because they read about it on a beer mat.

Several pubs and bars around mid-Cheshire have already got on board with the campaign, including some in Northwich, Knutsford and Winsford.

Northwich Guardian: Rocco the pooch showing his support for the campaign at the Top House in Winsford Rocco the pooch showing his support for the campaign at the Top House in Winsford

Jo Mellor, a community manager for the charity, explained how weekly support groups held on Zoom are offering a vital lifeline to men.

“Seventy-two per cent of men in the year before they go on to commit suicide do not seek out any medical support,” she said.

“So, they’re not known to doctors or any services, but they will have a pint.

“Hopefully, we are catching that 72 per cent of men who aren’t reaching out.

“We have groups that are held every Monday and they’re ran by men, for men.”

With 75 per cent of all suicides being men, the importance of the campaign in providing a regular, supportive space to talk is stark.

Northwich Guardian: Michelle at the Ark Inn, Winsford, who are taking part in the campaignMichelle at the Ark Inn, Winsford, who are taking part in the campaign

“Men under the age of 45 are more likely to die by their own hand than they are in an accident or and illness,” said Jo, who lost her own son to suicide.

“They are massive figures and we’ve got to change that.

“Men are conditioned to not have emotions and to ‘man up’.

“But they’re human beings and it would be great if we could get loads of awareness going around the country.

“This is one of our biggest campaigns.

“The groups are open to anyone, are free and don’t’ come with any long-term commitment.”

The support groups are held via Zoom every Monday evening between 7pm-9pm.

If you are a bar owner and would like to become involved in turning your bar blue you can contact Jo via e-mail community@mentell.org.uk.