woo presents: mandem, a doc on the charity hoping to save men’s lives

Throw a stone in any direction and you’d find a female-focused interest group. A women-only manifestation circle, book club or yoga class at your service. Try harder and if you’re lucky, you may find something for men. Perhaps a boxing club, a debate team or a finance hub. But this search seriously dwindles when you add “feelings” and “safe space” to the mix.

For time immemorial, men have been discouraged from talking about their feelings, being vulnerable or even crying in front of others. As per the Office for National Statistics, men accounted for three quarters of all suicides in the UK in 2022. Clearly, biases have created a dearth of space for men to share how they’re truly doing and check up on one another.

That’s precisely where Manchester-based charity Mandem Meetup comes in. Founded by Jamie Dennis in 2021, the men’s mental health charity has hosted workshops, talks and events to help people who identify as male to feel comfortable in sharing their feelings. By creating a safe, accepting space, the charity hopes to help men overcome the stigma associated with talking about their problems.

In an attempt to spread the message far and wide, filmmaker and member Nathan Baxter filmed and conceptualised a powerful documentary titled Mandem, that gives viewers a candid and often painstaking insight into all that the organisation does. Set in the sweeping peaks of The Lake District, the 15-minute documentary follows members of Mandem Meetup to understand what led them to find refuge in the community.

In the short film, one member who previously struggled with self-harm shared, “Having Mandem Meetup available is huge. It’s a good outlet for me now, a good support system.” While another talks about how the talking circles at the organisation helped him feel seen and understood, without judgement.

Through a range of sensitive, gut-wrenching narratives, the documentary presents a larger theme of perseverance and community that commands the ethos of Mandem Meetup. The overwhelming message remains a reminder that men everywhere can struggle with their mental health and deserve support. At Mandem Meetup, you can always come as you are.

‘For The Mandem’ is woo’s campaign with grassroots mental health charity Mandem Meetup. The series hopes to challenge what a healthy male-centric community looks like, explore the full campaign here.