Men in Sunderland have access to a growing number of community-led support services designed to improve mental wellbeing and combat rising rates of isolation. As figures show that men make up approximately 74 percent of suicide deaths across England and Wales, local organisations are providing increasingly vital spaces for residents to connect and discuss their mental health.
Research indicates that community-led groups help remove the barriers that often deter men from seeking support. By creating environments perceived as more male-friendly and less clinical, these groups offer a space for individuals to build friendships and address personal needs. This is particularly relevant in the North East, which currently has the highest male suicide rate in England at 24 per 100,000.
One long-standing resource in the city is Sunderland Mind, a charity that has operated for over 50 years. The organisation runs a men’s group every Tuesday morning from 10:30am to 12pm at the Wellbeing Hub on Church Street East, with sessions costing £1.50.
Other organisations providing support include Andy’s Man Club, a national charity founded in 2016. The group hosts weekly, free peer-to-peer sessions at the Beacon of Light in Sunderland, as well as locations in Kayll Road, Souter Lighthouse, Washington, and Houghton-le-Spring. Space North East, a local charity founded in 2018, also offers ongoing peer-to-peer support, having been recognised for its contributions to the community with a Social Enterprise of the Year award in 2023.
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