A ‘Walk and Talk’ group set up by a lifelong Evertonian is giving men the opportunity to open up about mental health issues in a safe, welcoming environment.
Jay Deakin formed ‘Talkhub’ last year, with the aim of giving men a forum to chat about any problems they are contending with, while getting outdoors and being active.
The group would initially meet up for walks, before the COVID-19 pandemic brought an end to social mixing.
Jay – who has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and has suffered from poor mental health – then hit on the idea of group members going on solo strolls before joining a team Zoom call.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT EVERTON'S INCREASED BLUE FAMILY ACTIVITIES DURING THE NEW NATIONAL LOCKDOWN
The walks and video calls now take place every week and are open for everyone. To get in touch with Jay and enquire about joining in, follow Talkhub on Twitter here or Instagram here and send him a message.
“We had 12-16 people go on the solo walks and join the video chats – they’ve been really popular,” says Jay.
“We ask the participants to send a picture of themselves on their walk and we make a collage, which is really nice.
“On the calls, people can talk about the ways they deal with mental health issues, as well as get things off their chests and help to give others’ solutions.
“People can approach it in any way they feel comfortable. If lads don’t feel confident enough to speak, that’s fine. You don’t have to.
“There are lads who have not been so confident but you see them grow and they talk a lot more. That’s been great.
“We have a few values which we always go through. That’s to respect each other, be non-judgemental, that everything said is confidential, and to give each other support at all times.
“You see the suicide rate for men and it’s scary – men account for 75 per cent of all suicides. I think it’s important for men to have outlets like these where they can open up and talk.
“We want to help men change how they feel about talking about mental health.”
An Evertonian who followed the Blues home and away before the COVID-19 pandemic, Jay says he has found being unable to watch the Toffees and meet his fellow Blues every week particularly challenging.
He explained how the Talkhub walks and Zoom chats have helped him and others “feel a part of something”, however.
Jay underlined his aim to provide a friendly and encouraging platform for men to talk openly and improve their mental wellbeing.
“Of course, we’re all missing the footy, so they [the walks and Zoom calls] give us something to look forward to while we’re not able to go to the matches,” he says.
“It’s been nice to see so many different people from all over the UK and Ireland getting involved.
“There were lads from Scotland, Yorkshire, London, Ireland.. we even had a lad from New York join in, too.
“The group walks were great. We did Walton Park to Stanley Park back in the summer – we were socially distanced but that was the closest as I’ve felt to being back at the match because it was all Blues on that walk!
“But everyone is welcome and you don’t have to be an Everton fan to get involved.
“It’s been tough as we’ve kept having to stop [the walks] because of the restrictions, but the Zoom calls have been a good way to stay in touch.
“I just want to help other guys not have to go through what I have when I was feeling low.
“People have said it’s really helped them and that means a lot.”
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT EVERTON'S INCREASED BLUE FAMILY EFFORTS DURING THE NEW NATIONAL LOCKDOWN
Blue Family was launched in March 2020 to provide vital assistance to some of the most vulnerable and socially isolated members of the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
The campaign has supported more than 27,000 vulnerable and at-risk families, made almost 25,000 check-in and welfare calls, delivered in excess of 14,000 emergency food parcels and provided more than 250,000 meals for school children, participants and local residents.
The expansion of activity will include increased outbound calls to fans and additional support to deal with an increase in referrals for people in need.
The Club will also offer bespoke online content for supporters across the world. The Blue Family section of the official Everton website is home to a wealth of online content to support home learning, fan wellbeing and remote supporter interaction.
