Organised by Swindon Borough Council and Create Studios, the event will ask men how best to promote positive mental health.

It is hoped the work could help tackle higher suicide rates among Swindon men.

Charlie Paradise of the borough council’s public health team said: “Our biggest concern with men’s mental wellbeing unfortunately relates to our suicide statistics, with 75 per cent of suicides in the town being men and a quarter being women.

“Within those suicide rates a high percentage of the men have never contacted mental health services.

“This suggests we need to encourage men to feel comfortable to talk to others when things are difficult and get the support they deserve.”

The borough council has already done some research into men’s mental health locally, but called in Create Studios to help with a campaign.

Today, between 3pm and 5pm, they will be at Coffee #1 in Canal Walk, asking men what messages around mental health they would find most effective.

Marilyn Fitzgerald of Create Studios said: “We like to be involved in the local community and we’ve worked with Charlie on previous occasions. We think this is a particularly poignant project and we’re happy to help with it as Charlie works towards a campaign on mental health next year.”

Source: swindonadvertiser