Men's wellbeing groups are growing and helping fill gaps in mental health support

Research in Wales surveyed 30 men's wellbeing groups and found rising attendance, mostly volunteer-run operations with limited professional staff. These groups are offering informal spaces for emotional expression while many men face long NHS waits for therapy and higher suicide rates than women.

Men's wellbeing groups in Wales and elsewhere in the UK are expanding and drawing in more participants. A survey of 30 groups found many are volunteer-run, have limited professional staffing, and report growing attendance. This increase comes as NHS waiting lists for therapy are long and male suicide rates remain higher than for women. The groups often provide informal, non-clinical spaces where men can talk about personal difficulties. Key findings: - A survey of 30 Welsh men's wellbeing groups found more than 80% reported rising attendance. - Most groups were volunteer-run and only 21% reported having professionally qualified staff. - Nearly 80% of groups said they actively encouraged men to speak openly about personal difficulties. - Mind Cymru reported that over 2,000 people with moderate to severe problems were waiting more than six months for therapy in a typical month. Summary: These community groups are creating informal, male‑friendly spaces that support emotional openness while formal services face capacity pressures. Undetermined at this time.