It's Debt Awareness Week (24th - 30th March), and Samaritans Scotland is delving into its recent report, ‘Paid Yesterday, Broke Today’
The report, created in partnership with University of Strathclyde, highlights the link between suicidal thoughts and behaviours and financial worries, and establishes eight recommendations to tackle this.
This year, Samaritans Scotland is exploring how the research and recommendations in our report can be seen in practice, including reducing stigma around help-seeking and prioritising social connection.
As part of Debt Awareness Week, we spoke to Head of Groups Scotland for ANDYSMANCLUB, Alex McClintock, about how the organisation sees the impact of financial and employment insecurity, the stigma surrounding it, and how it supports its members to open-up about their struggles and worries. Alex said:
“Across Scotland we see men walking through our doors facing all sorts of issues from relationship problems, addiction, struggling at work, and financial problems. One of the biggest stigmas that men fight on a daily basis is the idea that we are the breadwinners, and we need to be strong to provide for our families and this adds so much pressure.
“There is a massive stigma about financial struggles, and when lads are in debt, they can feel ashamed to talk about it. The view of men as the breadwinner or provider means that if we can't provide, it can feel emasculating and make us feel useless. Giving men a safe space to talk and hear other men discussing similar issues validates their experience and helps them to open up and seek help.”
Alec McClintock, Head of Groups for Scotland at ANDYSMANCLUB
ANDYSMANCLUB was founded after the death by suicide of Andy Roberts. Andy gave no indication to his family that he was suicidal, as a result, his brother-in-law, Luke Ambler, and mother, Elaine Roberts, founded ANDYSMANCLUB in the hope that men who struggled to open-up had a safe space to do so.
Explaining how the charity is working to reduce stigma around help-seeking, Alex said:
“By sharing what they are struggling with, men in our groups are being supported by each other to find a way through their own storm and help signpost to local services that can help with these issues.
“We need to normalise the conversation around male mental health so men can reach out for help and support no matter what they are struggling with and reduce the number of suicides in the UK.”
The first ANDYSMANCLUB session ran in Halifax in 2016, with 9 men in attendance on the night. The charity now has locations stretching from Plymouth to Aberdeen, and aims to have a location within 30 minutes travel time of any man living in the UK. The organisation also operates an online function, expanding inclusion and tackling isolation for those that can’t leave their home to join a session.
Throughout our own research in “Paid Yesterday, Broke Today”, participants highlighted social connection as a key protective factor from suicidal feelings and behaviour. This means emphasising volunteering, peer support, and mentoring opportunities for those struggling with finances or employment. We also found that ensuring a range of initiatives tailored to different demographics to be highly important, and something we can see in action with groups like ANDYSMANCLUB.
ANDYSMANCLUB run peer-to-peer support groups for men aged 18+ every Monday at 7pm (excluding bank holidays). Clubs are free to attend with no registration required. Click here to find out more.
Debt Awareness Week was set up by debt charity, StepChange, to highlight and break down the stigma attached to debt and the barriers to help-seeking. Visit the StepChange website for further information on Debt Awareness Week.