New Charity Leverages Outdoor Activities for Men's Mental Health

A new charity on the Isle of Man is utilizing outdoor activities, including cold-water swimming, archery, hill walking, and breathwork, to address men's mental health and combat social isolation. Connect Outdoors, officially launched with an International Men's Day event, seeks to research the types of support men are most likely to engage with, noting that current services may not have been designed with male input.

Chief executive Kate Bergquist stated that the charity evolved from extensive work in social care and outdoor well-being programs. She emphasized the underutilization of the island's natural landscape for health purposes, suggesting these activities should be integrated into weekly well-being routines. The charity's approach is rooted in "green and blue health," which promotes the use of natural environments like forests and beaches for health improvement.

The charity focuses on addressing men's mental health by encouraging conversation through activities without making mental health the primary focus. The launch event included opportunities for participants to complete surveys designed to identify the most effective engagement strategies. Among the supporters is Gary Thomas, who leads Walking for Wellness, guiding men on hill walks where they can discuss challenges in a less clinical setting.

Thomas, a former serviceman and mountain leader, observed that many men find it easier to open up in natural surroundings than in traditional counseling environments. He described nature as "not clinical, nature's natural" and highlighted how group activities foster new social connections, leading some participants to form lasting friendships.

Joshua Moore, a barber and supporter of the initiative, noted that barber shops can serve as safe spaces for men to discuss difficult issues. He stated, "The barber chair is a very special place," where individuals can feel better after a haircut and the opportunity to be heard. Moore, who has completed suicide prevention training, has witnessed the impact of mental health struggles and supports efforts promoting conversation and early intervention.

The International Men's Day event served as a platform to introduce men to new activities and inform them about available support resources for their physical and mental well-being.

![Joshua Moore has dark short wavy hair and has a short dark bears. He's wearing a beige collared sweatshirt and is looking down at a man in his barber's chair - you can just see his hair. There is a big shop window behind him with writing on it with a red brick building see through the glass.]( "Joshua Moore said the barber's chair was a "special place" for people to open up")