About Us

Founded in January 2022 by Samuel Davies, Men Who Talk is a registered UK charity offering safe, inclusive spaces for men to open up, connect, and support one another.

Men's Online Groups

We were created in response to a stark reality: suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 45, yet many support services still fail to engage men in a way that feels accessible or meaningful. Men Who Talk offers a different approach, informal, non-clinical spaces where men can simply talk. No pressure, no therapy, just honest conversation with others who get it.

Alongside our peer-led group sessions, we work with employers to tackle stigma in the workplace through discussion-based workshops. We help organisations create cultures where men feel supported, especially in high-pressure environments where mental health is often overlooked.

In 2023, we launched our University Engagement Days to respond to the growing crisis in student mental health. These sessions support young men while raising awareness among future mental health professionals.

And in 2024, we introduced Support The Supporters, the UK’s first free group space for those supporting men with their mental health. It’s a vital reminder that the people helping others need help too.

From workplaces to universities to families, we’re here to change the conversation around men’s mental health, one chat at a time.

Our vision is:

“To achieve positive mental health and wellbeing for all men in the UK”

Our aims are; 

For the public benefit, the relief of men in need in the UK, who may be experiencing or at risk of experiencing poor mental health, by means of, but not exclusively:

a) Increasing awareness of, and reducing the stigma attached to, men’s mental health;

b) Creating content, events, partnerships and experiences that encourage men to share their own inner struggle in a friendly and supportive environment.”

First: Do no harm
We are committed at “Men Who Talk” to ensuring none of the people accessing our services are harmed in any way, whether emotional of physical.

Second: Be champions of men’s health both physical AND mental
Despite hard work by many organisations over the last few decades, there is still a lot of stigma around men in particular accessing mental and physical health services. Well, we’re here to chip away at that stigma and champion the men we work with being the best and healthiest versions of themselves.

Third: Harness the power of conversation
Sometimes a chat really can be the best medicine. Peer support groups, which offer safe, open and inclusive spaces, are great for encouraging men to think about and care for themselves more. Through the power of chat, we hope to bring men closer together, break down barriers of stigma and judgement and help the men we’re working with spread the word that talking really CAN be the answer.

Fourth: Spread positivity and boost connectivity between men in the UK
We want to create safe, supportive environments where men from across the UK can connect and discuss a variety of different topics, supporting each other as they do so. In a pandemic ridden world, connectivity has never been more important, so

About Men’s Mental Health

Men’s mental health is profoundly important yet often underserved. Staggering statistics expose the urgency: approximately 6,500 registered suicides occur in the UK each year, and around 75 per cent of them are men. Meanwhile, far fewer men (only 36 per cent) are referred for talking therapies.

It matters because behind every figure is a human being someone who may feel unseen, unheard, or held by expectations. By shining a light on men’s mental health, we open up conversations that help tackle stigma, promote early support, and, ultimately, save lives.

Regrettably, yes, it frequently is overlooked. Traditional services often fail to feel accessible or relevant to men; there’s a tendency to label men as “unengaged,” rather than examining whether services are simply designed poorly for them.

When designing or delivering mental health support, failing to centre male experiences risks alienating the very people these services aim to help.

Masculinity itself isn’t inherently harmful but rigid definitions can be. Campaigns like “Reclaiming The Manly Man” challenge narrow stereotypes of what constitutes a “real man” and encourage broader, more inclusive conversations around masculinity.

When society insists that men must always appear invulnerable, strong, and stoic, it discourages openness and emotional authenticity, thus amplifying mental health struggles rather than alleviating them

Often, it’s not that men don’t want to talk. It’s that they don’t feel the space allows for it. Many people design services that expect men to conform to traditional ideas of masculinity, resulting in environments that feel unwelcome or unrelatable.

Breaking this cycle means listening more carefully and creating spaces where vulnerability is welcomed, not punished.

Taking steps to improve your mental health needn’t be overwhelming. Simple actions like joining a peer-led online group (free and nationwide) for honest, stigma-free chat can be powerful.

Peer support offers something distinct from therapy: it’s relaxed, non-clinical, and built on shared experience. Alongside that, connecting with friends, scheduling regular check-ins, or engaging in physical activity can all help.

If you need professional support, don’t hesitate to explore options like talking therapies or counselling.

One of the kindest things you can do is simply listen without judgment. Be present. Listen more than you fix. Try gentle, specific lines such as “You’ve seemed off lately; want to grab a brew and chat?” Offer choices: a walk, a group, a GP appointment.

Don’t force it; keep the door open. And look after yourself as a supporter, share the load and use spaces where you can talk, too. Encouragement and presence go a long way.

In a safe, peer-led group like those offered by us, anything can be discussed. You might discuss stress at work, connection or disconnection with emotions, loneliness, relationships, navigating crises, or life changes.

The peer model means every topic comes from lived experience. Big or small, what matters is that it matters to you.

Social media is a double-edged sword. It can offer connection, affirmation, and community but it can also foster comparison, inadequacy, and isolation. For some men, viewing curated lives online can heighten feelings of failure, inadequacy, or invisibility.

That said, sharing honest reflections or finding supportive communities can offset these risks provided you’re mindful of content that might harm rather than help.

Signs vary widely as there’s no universal blueprint but common indicators include withdrawing from social life, increased use of alcohol or drugs, irritability, sleep disruptions, or emotional distance. Behavioural changes like becoming unusually quiet, or conversely, overly agitated, also warrant attention.

If you suspect someone is struggling, a gentle check-in such as “Are you alright?” can be meaningful. If it feels needed, guiding them to further support (like professional services) can be a good next step.

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