In this episode of the Mental Health Takeaways podcast, Dan Reid shares his journey from struggling with mental health issues to founding Men Walking and Talking, a community initiative aimed at encouraging men to open up about their feelings while engaging in outdoor activities. The conversation explores the importance of creating safe spaces for men to share their experiences, the impact of therapy, and the growth of the initiative across the UK. The hosts and Dan discuss the significance of community support, the challenges men face in expressing vulnerability, and the transformative power of shared experiences in fostering emotional well-being. In this engaging conversation, the speakers explore the importance of creating safe spaces for men to discuss mental health, emphasizing the benefits of nature and walking groups. They discuss the significance of listening, the need for varied approaches to mental health, and the power of personal agency in overcoming challenges. The dialogue also touches on lighthearted moments, inspiring encounters during walks, and the purpose behind their initiative, culminating in reflections on self-discovery and the importance of supporting one another.

Find Men Walking and Talking on Instagram here; https://www.instagram.com/menwalkingandtalking?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

takeaways

• Men often bottle up their feelings and struggle to talk about mental health.
• Creating a supportive community is essential for men's mental health.
• Therapy can be a transformative experience for those who seek it.
• Walking and talking can help men open up in a non-judgmental environment.
• Many men share similar struggles with mental health but often remain silent.
• The growth of Men Walking and Talking shows the demand for such initiatives.
• Having a 'third place' outside of home and work is crucial for men.
• Building trust within a community can lead to meaningful conversations.
• Men can benefit from hearing others' experiences with therapy.
• Taking the first step towards seeking help is vital for change. A big driver for us in the podcast was that actually if people aren't quite ready to have the conversations, perhaps just listening to other people have the conversations might be that first step.
• Men can turn up to your groups and have no pressure to say anything.
• There is no silver bullet for male mental health.
• It's important to create varied approaches to support men's mental health.
• You can make the conscious decision yourself to talk when you're ready.
• The benefits of being out in nature can significantly improve mental health.
• We need to keep working at it to reach more men.
• It's the right thing to do to help others and ourselves.
• You don't have to stay in the situation you are now; change is possible.
• You are more than capable of changing things and doing big things.