Mental health group for men keeps talking

A MEN’S mental health group will celebrate its third anniversary tonight.

Mantalk was founded in 2021 by five Blairgowrie men after a friend had taken his own life.

The group decided enough was enough and founded their club with the hope of helping men of all ages and walks of life who are finding things tough.

Co-founder Terry Comiskey, who lost his brother to suicide shortly before Mantalk was founded, said: “After losing a friend to suicide, the five got together to discuss what they could do to stop other men taking their own lives.

“The first walk was Tuesday March 16 2021 and we have met every Tuesday since. As we progressed we wanted to hold a sit-down meeting now and then to try to get men talking more.

“The group grew and grew and we were seeing so many men coming through the door. Some talked, some listened, some came for the cakes.”

Terry was aware men were still slipping through the net and started looking at other ways to get people to join in.

The group launched activity days that helped with team building, fitness and ways to improve participants’ general wellbeing. But the expansion of the group also presented difficulties.

“These days out are certainly not cheap,” said Terry. “We have done lots of fundraising, others have fundraised for us, we have received grants and I’ve sent more begging letters than I can count.”

A combination of Terry’s letter writing and some fundraising allowed the group to buy a minibus, instal a “banter bench” at Rattray BMX park and plant trees in memory of their late friends.

Mantalk will pay tribute to the Blairgowrie community with a free fun day on July 20 at JJ Coupar Park, home of Blaigowrie Rams rugby club.

The group will celebrate its third anniversary this evening at the Wellmeadow Boxing Club on Ashgrove Road in Blairgowrie from 6.30pm to 8pm.