The Exchange to host festival on men and boys' mental health

Billy Bragg, David Morrissey, Patterson Joseph and Jimmy Mulville will be among the guests at the upcoming MENtalk Festival on Saturday 25 October.

The Exchange in Twickenham has announced that figures from the worlds of sport, business, entertainment, music and health will be participating in MENtalk, a mini festival of talks, debates, comedy, and performance which the venue has launched in response to addressing issues surrounding men and boys’ mental health, offering insights and solutions.

Festival Director, Robbie Bird, said “It’s clear that ‘being a man’ doesn’t feel as straightforward as it was in previous generations and men are asking if long held assumptions about male roles and behaviour fit with modern societies and modern family life.

"Our daughters and partners need to be championed to have equal rights, but we also must recognise that men and boys need new approaches to issues of confidence and identity. It’s important to have a chance to think about what it means to ‘be a man’. That’s why MENtalk is so timely.”

MENtalk will take place in an informal atmosphere where stories, ideas and life experiences will be heard, sharing ideas and laughs, and will be an opportunity to get involved in frank conversations about how to make life more positive.

Sessions will be facilitated by industry experts John McKeown, Clinical Psychotherapist and Addiction Counsellor, and Ivor McKay, Psychotherapist and Group Analyst. A resident free counsellor will also be on hand throughout the festival day event.

Find out more about MENtalk.