Men's mental health event

[Lisa Bourne]

Hello

I am organising a men's mental health event at Leeds City Museum on 20th of May and I was wondering if you'd be interested in holding a stall? As well providing support information via charities and organisations I'm looking for activity/social groups that men can join up to and I think Leeds Hack would fit well into that.

Kind regards,
Lisa Bourne

[J C]

Hi Lisa. 

Thank you for the invite. 

Im free that day so happy to come do a stall on behalf of the hackspace that day. Hopefully with a few more of the other members. 

Do you have a form or anything you need us to complete? 

Joe

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[Scott Kellie]

The hackspace is helping me mentally speaking personally 👍 I would be happy to attend and man a chair talk to people etc. 😎

[Anzir Boodoo]

Scott,

On 13 Jan 2018, at 11:05, Scott Kellie <scott...@gmail.com> wrote:

The hackspace is helping me mentally speaking personally 👍 I would be happy to attend and man a chair talk to people etc. 😎

Likewise would be interested to help. I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder alongside a long-term health condition and have previously exhibited at Love Arts Festival (the Mental Health Arts Festival in Leeds)

— 

Anzir Boodoo MRes MILT | Urbanist, Samuel L. Foxton

http://samuellfoxton.wordpress.com

Twitter: @samuellfoxton Facebook, Pinterest & YouTube: Samuel L. Foxton

[timpin .]

My only concern with this is that we may be seen as being a men’s organisation whereas it’s important to emphasise that we are open to and encourage membership from both men and women.

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[J C]

Hi Tim,

This is a valid concern and we have tried hard recently to get rid of the perception that we are a mans organisation and we should reflect this in the promotional literature we take with us and our online posts.

However, it is also important that we are able to go and open ourselves as an aid for mental health. By running a stall at this event, we are not saying that we are a space only for men, but rather that we are a space which people are struggling can come and find a creative outlet and decent socialisation. Should a similar event be run in the future for women or everyone, then I would gladly support going to it and attend if Im free to do so. From my understanding mental health provision in Leeds (and the UK in general) is under-funded, under-prioritised and leaves a lot to be desired. Attending events like this may give someone an outlet they didn't previously know was available. 

In terms of promoting the hackspace outside of the male demographic I messaged Leeds Girl Gang about doing a collaborative event here just this Wednesday in attempt to break down the perception of this as a men's space. Unfortunately I have not received a response.- which was a little disappointing. But other efforts along these lines will continue when time and energy allow. 

  

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[timpin .]

Thanks Joe

I wasn’t pointing a finger at anyone and I don’t think there’s any justification to do so; I just wanted to make it clear to Lisa that although our membership is predominantly male we are an open and inclusive organisation and I for one would be very unhappy if our public position failed to make this clear.

I agree completely that mental health is a pressing issue that has been sidelined for decades and I fully support any efforts to improve provision and access.