About
What is blOKes?
Founded in June 2020, blOKes is a registered community interest company (CIC) that provides men (18+) with a safe, supportive and non-judgemental platform to open up about their mental health, connect with others and tell a #MaleTale.
While conversations surrounding mental health are becoming more commonplace among men, we understand and appreciate that it can be difficult to vocalise thoughts and feelings sometimes. Via the blOKes forum, we aim to offer men the chance to share experiences, stories, guidance, tips, and advice with likeminded individuals, as well as connecting men from across the world.
Alongside our clinical mental health partner Willow Grove Consulting, we facilitate and deliver talks, events, webinars, and workshops, as well as providing men’s mental health information, resources, and supporting materials to schools, colleges, universities, sports clubs, organisations, and businesses across the UK.
Meet Tom
Tom was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in November 2016 while in his second year at Northumbria University. Having previously been an incredibly social person who loved spending time with friends, seeing family and playing rugby, Tom became increasingly isolated and withdrawn from those around him, which ultimately led to him trying to take his own life on two occasions.
It was only when Tom spoke to his parents and friends about what he was experiencing that he realised the power and importance of open and honest conversations around mental health. Having tried multiple forms of counselling and therapy, Tom always found that normalising conversations around his thoughts and feelings was what helped him the most, and also helped friends and family understand what was happening.
Tom is now passionate about using his own experiences to help other men to start those important conversations around mental health and tell their #MaleTale.
