Andy's Man Club Tour Hits Perth

When it comes to suicide, there’s no easy way to talk about it.

That’s why Perth’s Alex McClintock and Adam Allison set up the very first Scottish branch of Andy’s Man Club – to get men talking and to help save lives.

This weekend the big-hearted pair will join fellow volunteers from across the country in efforts to get even more men talking to each other – and staying alive.

A male suicide prevention charity, Andy’s Man Club was set up UK-wide to tackle suicide rates and break down stigmas and social attitudes towards men talking about their issues and feelings. Quite simply, the clubs bring men together to talk.

And this Sunday 8th September an Andy’s Man Club roadshow will roll into Perth as part of a whistle-stop tour of 22 club locations across the UK to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

“Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 years old,” explained Alex, “And ¾ of all suicides in the UK are men. We know the groups are working – saving and changing lives - with record numbers of men attending every week. Men are talking.”

Around 600 men attend weekly meetings across the country with Alex and Adam’s Perth club, the first to be set up in Scotland. Since then groups have been established in Dundee, Dunfermline and most recently, Glenrothes.

It’d be great to see lots of folk out on Sunday. This tour isn’t just for the guys – it’s to raise awareness and show what the group stands for.You can meet the guys on the bus tour on Perth’s Tay Street around 12.30pm on Sunday 8th September; Alex and Adam along with other volunteers, many who have benefited themselves from these groups, will be dishing out goodie bags, leaflets, wristbands and chat to help raise the profile of the work they do.

“It’d be great to see lots of folk out on Sunday,” added Alex, “This tour isn’t just for the guys – it’s to raise awareness and show what the group stands for.”

Above Video: Luke Ambler interviews his mother in law Elaine Roberts. Elaine is also Andy's mother. Andy died by suicide back in April 2016. Together Luke and Elaine have created ANDYSMANCLUB, groups for men to be able to go and talk.

For more information on ANDYSMANCLUB please find them on all social media platforms. All club locations can be found at on the Andy's Man Club website.

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Suicide Prevention Week 2019 events planned in Perth and Kinross

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership will hold a series of events to mark Suicide Prevention Week from Monday 9th to Sunday 15th September 2019.

National Suicide Prevention Week aims to raise awareness of suicide, encourage people to talk about mental health and wellbeing openly and provide information about agencies that offer support.

The aim of 2019’s Suicide Prevention Week is “Working Together To Prevent Suicide” and aims to help and support communities to save lives.

Suicide can affect anyone regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, culture or previous mental health - it is vital to know how to offer an understanding ear and when to encourage people to go to for further help and support.

This year’s event will include:

* Film screenings of Evelyn, a documentary about a family bereaved by suicide , on Tuesday 10th  and Thursday 11th night at North Inch Community Campus, Perth and The Atholl Centre, Pitlochry, both at 7pm.

* An interview with Interim Suicide Prevention Co-ordinator Eloise Vajk on Heartland FM.

* A talk and Question and Answer session by Michael Byrne of Lived Experience Trauma Support on his experience of complex PTSD, including his experience of surviving the Clutha disaster in Glasgow and his journey through mental ill health, on Wednesday 11th at the North Inch Community Campus at 7pm.

Tickets to all events can be booked via Eventbrite on this link>>>