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Men open up about mental health in cold water swim

BBC John Kirby smiling, wearing a yellow jumper and sitting in a cafe. There are other Mankind members sitting around a table behind him.BBC
John Kirby joined Mankind after he and his wife separated

A man from Eastbourne said joining a cold water swimming group changed his life after struggling with his mental health.

Cold Club, which runs cold water swimming sessions for men at Eastbourne beach all year round, is an offshoot of men's mental health charity Mankind.

John Kirby said the charity provides a "safe space" for men to talk, which has been "amazing" for him.

This year, Mankind received the King's Award for Voluntary Service for 2024 - the highest award available to a local UK voluntary group.

Mr Kirby said he began struggling with his mental health following the breakdown of his marriage.

He said: "To suddenly have that break of now being on my own, not knowing where to go, who to turn to, it felt like my whole life had ended."

During his first session at Mankind, Mr Kirby started crying, and said "everything just came out".

"I realised it was just genuine guys who probably couldn't talk to anyone else, but it was in a safe space. Guys talking to guys. Since then, it's been amazing," he said.

He attends Cold Club on Sundays which he said gives him a chance to catch up with Mankind members, who he says he will be "friends with for life".

Ian Pickard, who co-founded Mankind, smiling. He is standing on a beach in Eastbourne with small boats docked behind him.
Ian Pickard co-founded Mankind after the death of a close friend

'Putting on a mask'

Ian Pickard co-founded the group after his close friend took his own life, which he said had a "massive" impact on him.

"He was the life and soul of the party", Ian said. "He was the joker. I can only imagine now knowing what I know that he was putting on a bit of a mask and a bit of a front."

Psychotherapeutic counsellor Nick Carling said more men's groups are opening around the country and that men's attitudes to therapy are "changing".

"Obviously, there's vulnerability involved and for men that can be difficult but I think the tide is turning on that."

If you are suffering distress or despair, details of help and support are available at BBC Action Line.

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