Regina group trying to break the stigma around men’s mental health

Warning: This story contains the mention of suicide.

Every second Sunday, the Hampton Hub opens its doors to men who want to talk openly and authentically about what’s on their minds.

“This is a place when someone asks, ‘How are you doing,’ you can really answer that question instead of just saying, ‘I’m good,’” said Josh Campbell, one of the participants. “Men can come and be transparent and really say how they’re doing, whether it’s good, bad or a mix.”

Campbell is friends with Hampton Hub co-owner Tiro Mthembu. The pair openly discussed their mental health with each other and saw a need for this among more men in the community. They talked about forming a group like this last summer.

It wasn’t until they lost a friend to suicide that Campbell knew they had to do something.

“I think that was a bit of a kick in the pants to do this,” he said. “I’m not saying that there would have been a different outcome, had a group like that been there. There’s a myriad of reasons why those things happen. I think it was also some motivation and inspiration for us to honour Aaron who lived, worked and played in this community and was a dear friend to some of us in the group.”

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The group started getting together in mid-March. Campbell was shocked by the turnout.

“The first Sunday I think we had 15 or 16 men show up,” he said. “That was a bit of a surprise. All these guys showed up, who were mostly strangers to each other. It was overwhelming to see that reaction and it was also telling of the need there is for this kind of thing in our community.”

Campbell said the group talks about a lot of different topics, but all meetings are structured the same. The meetings start at 7 p.m. and they greet each other and shake hands while welcoming new people as well as regulars.

“You come in here and the part that’s very sacred to us is the sharing at the very beginning. Every second Sunday we share two things: what’s a highlight you’ve had and what’s something that’s been a struggle? It was important to all of us that that be the foundation.”

Although it’s two simple questions, Campbell said it gets the conversation going. Topics like success, fatherhood and masculinity are all things the group has talked about.

“We go around in a circle and everyone has a chance to share as much or as little as they want,” he said.

Campbell wants to see more platonic friendships become more normalized between men.
“We need more of these really loving, strong, non-romantic friendships,” he said. “I feel like we have a lot of obsession with just romantic relationships in society and those are important and good. But we also need these loving, platonic relationships where we’re just there to encourage each other in life.”

When the group gets together, Campbell said it’s slowly breaking the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.

“I think there’s something magical about it when a group of people — we don’t have to be gender specific here — but I’ve noticed it with the men that come together,” he said. “When there’s transparency and vulnerability it’s infectious. It just feels so good and freeing. And when we know there’s a space to do that I think it’s empowering. The more that that happens, the more the stigma will be challenged.”

For more information about the men’s mental health group, visit the Hampton Hub’s Instagram.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact Regina Mobile Crisis Services (306-525-5333) or find resources here: https://suicideprevention.ca/resources/#support-services