Tom Skinner has opened up on GB News about the mental health struggles afflicted on men and spoken about his newly-established walking club to support men.
For an Essex-based meander, dozens of men meet at a local pub at 8am every Sunday to promote chatter and cheer among men who might be feeling low.
Today, dozens more have turned out in Brentwood for this countryside walk to show their support for men’s mental health, established by the cockney entrepeneur.
Speaking about why he decided to create the weekly outing, Mr Skinner said: “Listen, us blokes don’t talk to each other enough. We’re always going to work, grafting, looking after the family.
“But we never talk about us. We never look after us. And there ain’t nothing out there really around this way for people to sit down, have a little chat, have a cup of tea, enjoy the countryside.
“Just blokes supporting blokes. That’s all it’s about. Nice and early Sunday morning before you do the bits and pieces and we can relax.”
Mr Skinner held the first Sunday club last weekend, which was attended by approximately 80 people.
But, a week on, dozens more men attended the event despite the bracing weather battering Britain.
The group of men meet every week to have a natter and take a moment for themselves in the countryside
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GB NEWS
The former BBC Apprentice star told GB News: “So far this morning, people have come from all over, not just from round here. People come from Bethnal Green.
“People come from Dartford. One guy’s come from Canterbury. And obviously all the locals turn up too.
“We’ve got just over 80 people. I think we got to get more than 100 today and hopefully it grows. The more the merrier. We just want to put our arms around each other, have a nice walk and just say, ‘you know what, it’s alright’.”
Suicide is often cited as the biggest killer of men under the age of 50, with men also accounting for 75 per cent of suicides.
About 80 men attended the popular event last Sunday – with Mr Skinner hoping for a greater turnout today
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INSTAGRAM – @IAMTOMSKINNER
GB News’ Bethany Elsie asked: “Thomas, this is a figure that we hear a lot in the news. It’s not a very nice statistic to hear.
“It still shocks me to the core. What do you think we can do to try and help that statistics decrease?”
Mr Skinner responded: “Look, it’s really sad that that is happening. I’ve lost six mates to suicide in the past 10 years, and I know how much it devastates families lives.
“And look, blokes, we don’t get enough talk. We don’t talk about it enough. So if one person turns up here, that’s having it a bit hard…
“Listen, let me tell you one thing. Tough times don’t last years. But tough people do. Might take a week, a month, a year, but just have a little chat with people.
“If you’re feeling sad, you’re feeling upset, you’ve got something on your mind, don’t boil it up and make you crack further down the line. Just talk about it. Relax and talk about it.”
The walk starts outside local pub The Thatchers Arms where the group of men embark on a 90-minute-long walk around the Essex town.
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.