A motor enthusiast said he has been organising car meets to encourage other men to talk “openly and honestly” about their mental health and challenge any stigma.
Lewis Warren, 33, from Brixworth, Northamptonshire, hosts the events around the UK on the second Sunday of each month, including at Gasoline Juice in Weedon Bec.
Regular attendee Craig Abbott, from Duston, Northampton, said the car meets have had a “positive effect” on him and helped him feel “listened to as a person”.
“I think blokes have a difficult time talking openly and honestly because we kind of put these barriers around ourselves,” Warren said.
“Asking somebody how they really feel quite upfront, almost puts those protective shields up almost immediately.
“Whereas going into it softly by talking about something you’re both interested in gets the conversation started,” he added.
Warren said up to 30 to 100 cars attend the Coffee and Cars meet-ups.