A MEN'S group aimed at addressing male depression and suicide has been launched in a North-East city.

ManHealth CIC, which started in Shildon, in County Durham, last year, was due to have its first meeting in Durham city last night.

The group, which meets at Alington House, in North Bailey, is being run by Alan Metcalf, who wanted to help after going to another group.

He said: "By attending ManHealth and sharing my fears and thoughts with like-minded people in a safe environment I’ve not returned to negative behaviours.

"It is this, more than anything else that has inspired me to offer similar opportunities to the huge number of men out there who can benefit from the type of informal support ManHealth has offered me.”

The not-for-profit organisation is funded by the Big Lottery and is also launching new groups in Darlington and South Tyneside.

Founder Paul Bannister, who also started Pelton charity Heel and Toe, said: "We launched the first group in Shildon in March 2018, followed soon after by another in Spennymoor and now we have ten groups across the region and we are supporting over 100 men a week.

“ManHealth is a pro-active project that helps men to deal with their mental health issues before they reach crisis by allowing them to talk in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

"This peer-to-peer support offered by men with lived experience can really make a difference and ultimately save lives.”

All the groups are run by men who have experienced mental health issues and have attended other sessions run by ManHealth.

The group at Alington House will run on Tuesdays, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and is a voluntary drop in for any man struggling with their mental health.

For more information visit www.manhealth.org.uk connect with ManHealth’s many social media platforms, call 01388 320023 or pop-in to one of ManHealth’s scheduled groups.