Every year, World Suicide Prevention Day reminds us of the importance of talking openly about mental health and ensuring support is available to those who need it. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK, a stark reminder of the challenges many face in silence.

Rotherham United Community Trust (RUCT) is committed to tackling these issues head-on by working with local and national partners. One of the most impactful partnerships is with Andy’s Man Club (AMC), a peer-to-peer support group offering a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space for men to talk. Sessions are free, run every Monday from 7–9pm at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, and are open to all men aged 18+.

For Mike, a member of RUCT’s staff, this partnership has been life-changing, not only for his work but for his own wellbeing.

I was one of those guys who thought my mental health would never be an issue. I was the one who kept it together, worked hard, and got on with things. But during lockdown, everything changed.

Mike experienced serious family problems during the pandemic, which took a huge toll on his mental health. He found himself estranged from close family members and struggling to cope with both the uncertainty of lockdown and his personal situation.

At the time, he worked in a gym, which added further stress.

I’d sit in my car before opening up the gym, crying, then wipe my face and walk in as if everything was fine. My colleagues didn’t know. My family didn’t know. I hid everything. I didn’t want to let my guard down. I felt isolated, and I started drinking daily just to cope. My wife noticed, but I put on a brave face and told her I was fine. In reality, I was pushing her away.

It was Mike’s wife who first mentioned Andy’s Man Club to him, but he didn’t attend straight away. A couple of years later, while working at RUCT, he met the AMC team at a community event. The connection sparked not only a partnership between the two organisations but also gave Mike the opportunity to finally attend a session.

Walking into that first AMC meeting was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s peer-to-peer, so there’s no pressure. You’re welcomed, there are snacks, and there are men just like you — guys who are struggling, or guys who just need to talk. The structure is simple: you’re asked a few questions, and you share as much or as little as you want. Sometimes you come in at your lowest, but you always leave stronger.

Mike has now been attending AMC sessions for over six months.

Without Andy’s Man Club, I don’t know where I’d be. To sit in a room with men who genuinely get it, to listen, to talk, to laugh — it’s life-changing. Every session, I leave a better version of myself.

Through RUCT’s partnership with AMC:

• Sessions are hosted at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, a familiar and welcoming venue at the heart of the community.
• Men across Rotherham have access to free, safe, and supportive peer-to-peer groups.
• Staff like Mike not only support the partnership through their roles but also benefit personally from the sessions.

Mike’s story is a powerful example of how talking can save lives. On World Suicide Prevention Day, it highlights why partnerships like the one between RUCT and Andy’s Man Club are so vital. Together, they are breaking the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, providing a space for men to open up, and ultimately preventing lives from being lost to silence.

All I know is this: AMC is literally a lifesaver. Not just for me, but for so many men out there.