Jamie Rutherford, director of Men Matter Scotland based in Drumchapel, hopes that their new scheme can help tackle the number of men choosing to go on sick leave due to work stress.
Through one-to-one sessions, those in need can sit and have the relief of talking to someone about the pressures they are facing.
Jamie believes increasing numbers of men in Glasgow are finding work-related stress difficult to cope with and are often signed off sick before the root causes of their mental health concerns are addressed.
Pictured at Men Matter Scotland in Drumchapel is director Jamie Rutherford. (Image: Colin Mearns)
He explained: “There’s like hundreds of thousands of guys across Glasgow who hate working at home, don’t feel valued by their colleagues, they’re facing redundancy, they’re struggling with running a business, they can’t deal with customers’ complaints anymore.
“Their work life balance isn’t right and it’s affecting their mental health.
“There’s too many guys who are struggling in that way and if you go into the doctor and you ask for a sick note, they’ll give it to you pretty much without asking.
“It’s so much easier to get a sick note and get signed off than it is to address your concerns or address the causes of your mental health with your employer. ”
Instead of simply obtaining a sick note from a doctor, participants receive one-to-one support through this new programme, to help them communicate issues to their employers, reframe negative thoughts, and regain fulfilment in their careers.
Pictured at Men Matter Scotland in Drumchapel are, from left- volunteers Jamie McGregor and Wullie Millar, director Jamie Rutherford and Fraser Devine who is head of engagement. (Image: Colin Mearns)
Operating from their Drumchapel base, they offer flexible weekly sessions, aiming to support at least 60 men during the first year of this pioneering multi-year project.
Jamie added: “We’re trying to get a minimum of 60 in the first year but it’s a three-year program. So, I think over the three years it’s about 400 people, but we’re not going to turn anyone away.
“We’ve got a really unique facility. We have access to training, one-to-one rooms, therapy rooms, things like that.
“People who are out of work or off work sick can come along to the day sessions or if you can’t meet those sessions, you can just come along and and and sign up and we’ll try and work with you.”
We reported last month that Men Matter Scotland has been expanding its services, including the creation of a base in Glasgow city centre.
The charity recently launched a fundraiser to buy a container which will be positioned on the Clydeside to store supplies and provide facilities for its street teams.