SILHILLIANS are being called on to put their best foot forward to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
Solihull’s Men Walking and Talking group is welcoming the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Shahin Ashraf and inviting Solihull’s ladies to join them at Brueton Park from 6pm on their 44th walk on Tuesday (May 6).
The 5km-route is supported by the Solihull Council, Veolia, Birmingham City Football Club, Unsworth Sugden, The VW Coffee Shack and Touchwood Shopping Centre.
Danny Smith, walk leader for the Solihull group, said: “On Tuesday, which will be our 44th outing, we are going bigger.
“In preparation for Mental Health Awareness Week on May 12, we are bringing together as many people as possible to raise awareness to mental health and to show how important walking and talking is.”
The gates at Brueton Park are set to be covered in blue hearts with messages of support and words of wisdom which have been written by those who attend the group regularly.
Danny added: “I launched the Solihull group in October and it has gone from strength to strength. By December, we were the group with the most amount of attendees, by the end of January we had broken the national record for attendees four times.
“The idea is to encourage men to get out and talk about their problems and life challenges, instead of doing what we stereotypically do – Bottle it up until major problems occur.
“The group is now a brotherhood of chaps who enjoy seeing each other each week, who are growing and developing weekly, blocking out the negatives of life and focussing on keeping their head in a good place.
“On a regular week, we can help support between 40 and 60 gents, some of which are dealing with divorces, anxiety, bereavement, family illnesses or sometimes loneliness.
“A lot of the regulars understand that getting out is a preventative measure to look after their mindset and attend every week to keep themselves in check.”
For more visit the group’s Facebook page.
