Derry mental health charity seeking meeting with James McClean and Derry City FC
Responding to comments by Derry City FC player James McClean in the national media, Derry-based charity Men’s Action Network (MAN) said it would welcome the opportunity to meet the Ireland centurion and the club.
Men’s Action Network (MAN) is a Derry-based charity with more than 30 years experience supporting men and challenging the stigma surrounding men's mental health and wellbeing.
MAN chairperson, Michael Lynch, said the group’s door was open and the offer of a meeting was not about “attacking anyone personally”.
In an interview with Irish Independent journalist Paul Kimmage, published on Sunday (October 18,), Mr McClean was reported as saying he had never tried therapy as he would “see it as a weakness that I’d have to speak to someone about my feelings; my emotions”.
“Essentially MAN wants to highlight why we believe the message is wrong and to explain why it matters,” Mr Lynch told The Derry News.
“Men asking for support is not a sign of weakness,” he added. “For more than 30 years, MAN has worked in our community to challenge the stigma that it is.
“We have and continue to support men through difficult periods in their lives and encourage them to seek help without fear or judgement.
James McClean is an influential figure, particularly for young men in our community. With that influence comes an opportunity to encourage men to seek support.
“In fact, asking for support is the strongest thing you will ever do, and to suggest otherwise could send the wrong message to men who may already be struggling to take that first step.
“We know how difficult it can be for men to open up. Too many men have been brought up believing they must keep everything to themselves and deal with their problems alone, and that attitude can have devastating consequences.
“MAN has spent more than 30 years challenging these barriers,” he added. “Through our work, we believe countless lives have been saved,” said Michael Lynch.
“We know, having someone listen, offering support and creating a space where men can talk openly can make a real difference,” he added.
“Asking for help does not minimise who you are. It is exactly the opposite. It creates space for you to progress in your own time, understand yourself better and move forward.
“James McClean is an influential figure, particularly for young men in our community. With that influence comes an opportunity to encourage men to seek support.
“MAN is very aware of the dangers of reinforcing the stigma which might prevent them from doing so,” said Mr Lynch.
“We would welcome the opportunity to meet with James and Derry City FC to discuss this issue. Our door is open. This is not about attacking anyone personally; it is about challenging a message we believe is wrong and explaining why it matters,” he added.
“No man should ever be made to feel that asking for help makes him less of a man. We should be encouraging men to speak up, reach out and get support when they need it.
"We would encourage men of all ages to seek support without shame or judgement. Men do not need to have all the answers, and they do not need to wait until they reach breaking point before asking for help."