#SpeakUp: Darnhall Community Development Centre
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Darnall Community Development Centre (DCDC) used a Healthwatch Sheffield Speak Up grant to explore young men’s attitudes towards health and mental health. The project engaged 26 men aged under 16 to 35 from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds through a series of workshops at Empire Boxing and Thai Boxing Club. Participants discussed masculinity, mental health, accessing services and the barriers that prevent young men from seeking support.
Participants described strong cultural and social expectations for men to be tough, strong, successful and self-reliant. While they agreed men should feel able to talk openly about health and mental health concerns, many felt there remained significant stigma around mental illness, with fears of being judged as weak or "less of a man". Most participants said they would only seek medical help for urgent physical health problems and were generally reluctant to visit their GP because of perceived inconvenience, long waits and difficulty getting appointments.
Mental health support was even less likely to be sought through formal healthcare services. Most participants said they would turn to trusted friends, partners, family members or gym coaches rather than healthcare professionals if experiencing depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts. There was limited awareness of specialist mental health organisations and some reported concerns that seeking help could affect employment prospects or lead to being judged by professionals. Participants also spoke about previous experiences where doctors appeared dismissive or lacked understanding, which reduced confidence in seeking help.
The workshops highlighted the important role that informal community settings can play in supporting men's mental health. Many participants described the boxing club and community centre as one of the few places where they felt comfortable discussing personal issues. They felt supportive environments, strong peer relationships and positive male role models, particularly athletes who speak openly about mental health, could help reduce stigma and encourage more men to seek support when needed.