A Trowbridge man who has suffered from anxiety and depression has launched a group to offer help to others with mental health problems.

Chris Smith, 62, has established a Trowbridge Man Down group as part of a network that originated in Cornwall but is now expanding nationwide.

He said: “As you are probably aware the male suicide rate is far too high and I am starting a peer-to-peer talking group for men in the Trowbridge area.

“I am trying to get the word out so that people are aware of it and can come along if they feel the need to do so. Not everybody wants to go straight to the doctor."

Chris Smith promoting Man Down group meetings for men with mental health concerns. Chris Smith promoting Man Down group meetings for men with mental health concerns. (Image: Trevor Porter)
 Chris says he was inspired to start the group after recently suffering from anxiety and depression for 12-18 months and finding little or no support available locally

He added: “For the first 12 months or so, I searched quite heavily for a similar talking group where I could talk to people suffering from similar things.

“I was unable to locate a peer-to-peer group when I needed it most. There was nothing in the local area at all."

He eventually went back to his GP and managed to talk to a mental health nurse who put him in touch with a charity in Chippenham called Olive Branch.

“Thanks to counselling provided via the Olive Branch in Chippenham, I now feel much better," said Mr Smith, who is a project manager.

“Because I have now recovered, I want to try and stop other people from falling into that gap that I fell into."

To fill the gap Chris was faced with, he has established a new Trowbridge Man Down group after contacting the Man Down organisation.

Man Down is now expanding UK-wide as a non-profit Community Interest Company and has recently launched new groups in Scotland and South Wales.

“We provide informal peer-support talking groups free of charge for men with mental health concerns,” Mr Smith said. “Together, we can end the mental health stigma and reduce the number of male suicides.”

The first meeting is scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday, September 3 in the meeting room at St Thomas' Church Hall (York Buildings) and then bi-weekly going forward.

Chris added: “If the demand is there, I will roll it out to other parts of the county., such as Warminster, Melksham, Devizes, and where a demand is recognised.”