Walking for Mental Health in Henlow with Local Groups

PRESS RELEASE

Alistair Strathern MP, Member of Parliament for Hitchin, enjoyed an early morning walk on Saturday with local men’s, men's walks walking groups and local mental health champions.

The walk in Henlow was the second men’s health ‘walk and talk’ event Mr Strathern has organised this year to highlight the need for action on men’s mental health and provide an informal space for men locally to get out and chat with others locally.

With the life expectancy between men and women varying by an average 4.5 years, the group walked 4.5k to signify that gap and highlight the difficulty men can have in talking about their mental health. 

It comes as the Government starts to implement its men’s health strategy, which includes a commitment to invest in and support a wider range of community support services for men’s mental health. Mr Strathern was awarded one of Movember’s ‘Men’s Health Champion’ awards last year for his work in Parliament to champion the need for action.

Mr Strathern commented:

“We know as men we are not always the best at opening up to each other and talking about the things that are wearing us down and that can have a real impact on our mental health. For too long it’s an issue we’ve not taken seriously in society, that’s why I’m really glad the government has been doing more with its own Mental Health strategy with a specific focus on Men’s Mental Health.

“We are keen to play our part locally, so we’ve brought together people from right across our constituency, including some inspiring people helping out with issues in their own small charities, to make sure that men have got a chance to get out and get some fresh air and chat about the issues affecting us in our day to day lives. 

“I’m grateful to everyone that came and looking forward to continuing to work with them to raise the issues we have discussed. And make sure we are taking mental health as seriously as we should.”

Mr Strathern chairs the Labour Group for Men and Boys who are campaigning on a whole host of issues from paternity leave to men’s health. He is committed to highlighting the issues men face in Parliament and working with charities and partners to make sure men and boys can get the support they need when they need it.