Real Talk: Debunking the taboo of men’s mental health

In support of Movember, insurance brokers Partners& is teaming up with York City Football Club to host ‘Real Talk’, a networking event to promote awareness of men’s mental and physical wellbeing.

The event is being held at the brand new LNER community stadium in York and former premier league player and York City manager, Steve Watson, will be attending as the headline speaker.

Watson will be discussing his own experiences of mental health, life in the public eye and supporting his team’s wellbeing.  Other speakers will include Jason Jones, In Business Ninjas and The Brotherhood, Grant Phillips, GPC Group Ltd and Aaron Devitt, Partners&.

Topics discussed at the event will include identifying different types of mental health issues, understanding different coping mechanisms, the importance of speaking to likeminded people, the power of positivity, the importance of personal wellbeing, how to balance business and mental health and the role of a mental health advocate at work.

With suicide being the biggest killer of men under 35 and with an average of 191,000 men a year reporting stress, depression and anxiety caused, or made worse by work, the aim of the event is deliberately designed to debunk the taboo of talking about men’s mental health, particularly amongst York’s male working community.

Since it was founded in 2003, the charity Movember has supported over 1,250 men’s health projects, particularly prostate and testicular cancer, male suicide and men’s mental health.

“The pandemic has left us in no doubt that no one is immune from mental health issues; Movember’s Men’s Health Month has given us a great opportunity to bring together York’s business community in a much-needed face to face networking event at York Football Club. It will give guests a chance to listen to some great speakers, hear about experiences on the pitch and in the boardroom, talk openly about their own mental health, be amongst likeminded people and raise money for Movember. In 2020, the UK lost 3,686 men to suicide, 10 men every day. Movember is determined to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% and we are 100% behind them in that effort. It’s okay to not be okay and particularly in business circles we want to challenge the status quo in this regard.”
Tom Kendall, Client Partner at Partners&

Partners& is an insurance advisory business working with clients to manage their people risk by designing wellbeing, engagement and benefits programmes that protect their business and maximise their people’s performance.

‘Real Talk – With Steve Watson’ will take place from 6-8.30pm on 18th November at York City football Club.  This ticketed event is free, but guests are asked to make a minimum £10 per person donation to Movember. The event will also include a tour of the stadium.

Tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/real-talk-networking-event-supporting-mens-mental-health-tickets-198299427927