ACCORDING to Samaritans’ latest figures, 5,821 suicides were registered in the UK in 2017.

In this country, men are three times as likely to take their own lives than women.

Although the male suicide rate is the lowest it has been in more than 30 years, lives are still being taken too quickly.

Experts say men need a safe environment where they can air their worries without being judged.

James Mace, from Witham, has provided just that in the hope of improving men’s mental health across Essex.

In March, he set up Walk and Talk, a support group for men and their mental health.

James, 36, said: “We get together a couple of times a month and have a stroll around a country park whilst having a chat in a safe place without any judgement.

“It gives us guys the opportunity to offload, get things off our chest and talk about how we are feeling rather than bottling it up and suffering in silence.

“Mental fitness is just as is important as our physical fitness. Men in general find it difficult to open up and talk about their feelings.

“We often see it as a weakness, we can feel we always need to be strong, tough and macho.

“That’s a lot of pressure we are putting on ourselves. Here at Walk&Talk4Men we want to encourage men it’s OK to talk and nobody is alone.”

The latest walk was held in Colchester at Castle Park.

The group was set up off the back of a video James posted on social media, in which he shared his thoughts on raising mental health awareness.

He said: “I had a fantastic response which inspired me to do more. Having suffered with my own mental health, it’s a subject close to my own heart.”

The group uses social media to network and find different locations in Essex to meet up.

The number of men on each walk varies, with as many as 16 men taking part.

But for James, the numbers are not important.

He said: “It’s about the impact, if we help just one person that’s a win.”

Anyone can turn up to the walks, some men prefer to dip their toes in and join the Facebook page to find out more before coming to a walk.

James said: “A good walk can do wonders for your mental wellbeing. It improves self-perception and self-esteem, mood and sleep quality, and it reduces stress, anxiety and fatigue.

“I read somewhere that talking side by side is often a communication choice, especially among men, as it precludes eye contact and allows men to speak more freely.”

The topics of discussion can range from weather to sports, from family to relationship stress.

“Anything goes,” James said. “When they feel comfortable and ready to share they open up about their wellbeing and mental health.

“It makes them realise they are not alone. It gives men the opportunity to speak amongst like-minded individuals who are all going through the same or similar situations.

“As well as getting fresh air and exercise, it helps men who perhaps don’t socialise much due to insecurities or social anxiety the opportunity to integrate and meet new people.”

Suicide is the biggest killer in men under the age of 45 and James considers the suicide rates are appalling.

He says education is the key to reducing numbers.

“When I first suffered with my mental health I had no clue what was happening to me,” he said.

“Mental health education needs to become a priority on the school curriculum. We need to educate our children in schools that life can be stressful, people we love and care about do die and life can be pretty tough sometimes.

“These things can have an effect on us all in different ways.

“I left school knowing how to do simultaneous equations but not knowing how to deal with stress, grief, bereavement or anxiety.

“We also all need to be educated on the help out there for us when we are struggling. As well as our fantastic NHS we also have many incredible charities available to us.”

To find out more about the project, email walkandtalk4men@gmail.com or search for Walk&Talk4Men on Facebook and Instagram.