A Tyneside men's wellbeing group for vulnerable adults is shining a light on positive mental health as part of this year's World Suicide Prevention Day.

With the North East region having the highest suicide rate in the UK (12.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2022) and 74 per cent of suicides across England and Wales being male, proactive initiatives like Tyne Housing’s Men’s Health Hub are proving to be a lifeline.

The Men’s Health Hub is part of Tyne Housing’s wider Health Champions project, which has seen 97 male and female residents from Tyneside and Northumberland reach out for support since its launch in April 2024.

Numbers have increased month on month, and, due to its approach, 13 men are now regularly participating in The Men’s Health Hub, a voluntary wellbeing session and activity group which meets every fortnight.

Bryan Beverley, of Tyne Housing and Men’s Health Hub lead, said: "Those experiencing any sort of housing insecurity or homelessness, in general, have a very stressful time which can trigger and exacerbate serious mental health issues.

"There is a much higher rate of mental health problems amongst people without a home compared with those that have that security.

"It can become a vicious circle and one that can be very hard to navigate."

Tyne Housing’s Men’s Health Hub holds group discussions and one-to-one sessions for residents at the Joseph Cowen Health Centre in Byker, Newcastle, and was established following the sudden loss of a member of the residents’ community.

Mr Beverley added: "Unfortunately, there is still a perceived stigma which surrounds male mental health and while we have made great strides forward over recent years both as a country and on a community level, there is still more to do.

"If the Men’s Health Hub can assist just one person, and support them to recovery and independent living as an alternative to taking their own life, then our efforts have been completely worth it."

World Suicide Prevention Day, taking place on September 10, aims to focus attention on the issue, reduce stigma and raise awareness among organisations, governments and the public .