Working with menThe City of London Corporation has awarded Southwark-based charity Working With Men (WWM) £145,700 to support its work on improving men’s mental health in Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hammersmith and Fulham.

The grant from City Bridge Trust will help Working With Men offer further mental health support to boys and young men who face social and economic disadvantage or isolation. The key aim of the charity’s work is to help at-risk groups to achieve their full potential and become productive and active members of society, as well as suggesting approaches for tackling anti-social behaviour among young men.

A recent report from the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) showed that men accounted for 77% of suicides, and suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged under 35. Working With Men operates within this context and aims to support positive male activity, engagement and involvement.

Shane Ryan, CEO of WWM, said: "There is clear evidence that shows many young men are suffering adverse outcomes in aspects of psychological well-being. Unfortunately, male depression is often seen as a sign of weakness and as something that can be overcome without assistance.

"Men appear to be more resistant than women to seeking help from others, but services are often also resistant to working with them. With the help of City Bridge Trust, we will support more young men on the margins."

'Men's mental health often ignored'
The grant from City Bridge Trust will be used to fund a new full-time caseworker at WWM for three years, who will work with agencies and health professionals to deliver both intervention and prevention services for 100 young men aged 13 – 25. This is part of the charity's drive to reduce the risk of mental illness and tackle suicide rates. In addition, ten young men will be encouraged to take on a community education/engagement role to share their experience.

Jeremy Mayhew, Chairman of the City Bridge Trust, said: "Men’s mental health problems are often being hidden or ignored. Managing these difficulties early in life, especially during key life transitions, may help prevent the development of mental disorders and stop suicide.

"Working With Men provides crucial services to boys and young men with targeted and affordable treatment that responds to their needs. We believe that this work should continue, so that young men have appropriate care to improve their health and well-being.”

City Bridge Trust is the grant-making arm of Bridge House Estates, whose sole trustee is the City of London Corporation. It supports London’s charities and provides grants totalling around £15 million per year.