In this crazy time that we’re living through Mental Health Awareness is become even more vital, so we thought it was poignant when we discovered the amazing mental health charity HUMEN that we shared their story.
As people’s mental health is expected to be greatly affected over the coming months due to self isolation and social distancing, male mental health charity HUMEN have shifted their HUMEN Space: the Gym for the Mind online, as they have had to close all of their Spaces across the UK and Ireland. This will provide the opportunity for any man across the world to join.
HUMEN is leading a movement to improve and maintain men’s mental health by providing spaces where men can meet in a non-clinical environment to talk, listen and connect on a regular basis. HUMEN understand the vital importance to stay connected during this time, as it is having a detrimental impact on people’s mental health. Despite the need to stay socially distant, this is not a time to socially disconnect. Over 200 men have now signed up to The HUMEN Space Online.
HUMEN has been providing these preventative safe spaces across London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Dublin. There has been an overwhelming outreach from across the world since the launch of HUMEN, asking for a HUMEN Space in various parts of the world including Australia, South Africa, the US, India and Bali. This means that going online will enable accessibility to the spaces globally.
“These last two weeks have been one of the toughest downward dips on the roller coaster of anxiety that I’ve ever experienced in my life. I’m so grateful that I have a solid support network of friends, family, colleagues and even NHS CBT to help me through the toughest times, but after ending my first HUMEN Space Online session with a bunch of strangers I’d never met tonight, I felt overwhelmed with a deeper sense of gratitude, reassurance and hope that I really, really needed.”
David, 26, London, HUMEN Space Online
The organisation is championed by various well-known men including Bill Nighy, David Gandy, Danny Cipriani, Alan Carr, Tom Odell and Andrew Scott all of whom also featured in a five-part documentary series tackling men’s mental health produced by the organisation.
The HUMEN Space Online will run every Monday from 6.30pm – 7.30pm BST.
HUMEN can be found at https://www.wearehumen.org or alternatively @HUMENorg on Instagram. For interviews with HUMEN’s founder River Hawkins, volunteers, participants or for more information please email isobel@wearehumen.org
Edited by Arrnott Olssen
