Men Walking and Talking - Aylesbury
What is Men Walking and Talking?
Men Walking and Talking organizes mental health walks, aiming to create a safe space for men to come together and end the stigma surrounding men's mental health through mutual support. Founded in 2021 by Dan Reid in Telford, the initiative began with just one attendee on its first walk and has since expanded to nearly 50 groups across Great Britain, including an Aylesbury walking group.
Who is Dan Reid?
Dan Reid is a man who faced his own mental health demons and began going for walks to clear his head. Soon, he was joined by others, and what started as one walk evolved into two, then three, and now, four years later, we are approaching 50 Aylesbury walking groups that provide vital mental health support, helping hundreds of men walking and talking together.
What We Do And Why
We walk and we talk in our Aylesbury walking group. Countless research studies have shown that personal connections and interactions with others are vital for us as humans. Not only can this help restore good mental health, but it can also be preventative. Many members confide in us that they were on the edge, and joining our walks helped them step back from that cliff.
While we’re not mental health professionals, most of our Walk Leaders are trained as Mental Health First Aiders. We’re just a group of blokes who meet once a week to engage in men walking and talking. There’s no pressure to discuss your issues or to speak at all unless you feel comfortable. Some weeks, we simply share what our week has been like, while other times we dive deeper into our experiences. We offer a shoulder to cry on and a friendly face when you're feeling lonely.
In our group, we encourage men to embrace their emotions, acknowledging that it’s okay to cry, feel vulnerable, and ask for help.
* The "central" importance of loneliness in mental health: A network psychometric study by Pascalidis & Bathelt, 2024. This study highlights the need for effective mental health support, emphasizing initiatives such as the Aylesbury walking group, where men walking and talking can significantly improve their mental well-being.
