The National Federation Of Men's Institutes

By Men's Minds Matter: Why is there no such thing as a Men's Institute? We believe that there has never been a genuine reason to create one - until now.

Here at Men's Minds Matter we understand that men and boys have specific psychological and social needs which are not being met as well as they could be. Men also face their own set of difficulties and challenges linked to their health, mental well-being and gender. We believe that a Men's Institute could help improve men's health and psychological well-being by addressing these needs. The high rates of major illness and suicide observed in men and boys highlight on of the challenges men face.


Men's Minds Matter is creating a National Federation of Men's Institutes with the shared aim of improving the health and psychological well being of men and boys. We've done our research on this and put together a plan for making a Men's Institute that will hopefully benefit our wider communities. We strongly believe there is an opportunity for men to come together to tackle the challenges and responsibilities of being a man. By building on our shared strengths we believe the Men's Institute could make a major contribution to our communities.


The Men's Institute will help reduce isolation in men and provide a supportive environment to help men cope with challenging life events and the demands of modern life. The men's institute will promote community action and participation, build social cohesion and social capital and revitalise community cohesiveness. Most of all we hope to provide fun, creative enjoyable and supportive environments.

MMM has specific ideas about how a Men's Institute will work based on principle or community psychology. We are looking for potential funders and sponsors to launch two or more pilot projects. This will enable us to test out how our ideas translate into action. It is likely there will be a some variation in how each Men's Institute operates, but each group would share the same key values improving men's health and psychological well being whilst bringing men to together to use their strengths for the benefit of their communities and each other.

No easy challenge but there appears from our research to be a calling.  We have received a really positive response from many people who have come across out proposal for a National Federation of Men's Institutes. If you would like to stay up to date or you're looking to invest in community action and the Men's Institute then please do get in touch. If you are involved in a group which is already up and running we'd also like to hear from you. 

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Men’s Minds Matter is a not for profit organisation which aims to bring awareness to the experience of being male whilst developing ways of helping and supporting men and boys in the UK.

When it comes to thinking about the psychological needs of men and boys we seem to have our heads in the clouds, whistling merrily along as if everything is fine. Surprising given that:
 

• Men are three times more likely to take their own lives through suicide
• Globally, there are 800 000 deaths per year to suicide. That's more people than is accounted for by war and homicide combined
• Three quarters of missing people are men
• The majority of those who are homeless are men 
• The rates on mental illness in the domestic homeless population are known to be high 
• Men are more likely to be victims of violence
• 5% of men (compared to 7% of women) have reported being a victim of domestic violence
• Men and boys can also be victims of physical abuse and sexual abuse
• Men make up the vast majority of the prison population and it is estimated that 90% of prisoners have mental health problems 
• Men suffer more substance abuse and dependence
• Men account for 79% of drug related deaths 
• Men are more likely to struggle with psychological problems following redundancy or the loss of a job 

Men's psychological wellbeing not only effects individuals themselves but also others, including women, children and other men. It is imperative that we address the psychological needs of men and boys to improve the psychological well-being of all people.

Men's Minds Matter relies on donations to keep the site up and running and for it's further development. Any donations are greatly welcomed.
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