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<\/p>\nSpeaking candidly on mental health and masculinity is challenging for many men, but this poetry workshop is changing that.<\/p>\n
Nestled away in Brixton, south London, I joined the Mandem, Let’s Talk programme every Monday for four weeks to understand the issues facing young black men today.<\/p>\n
“Going to spaces like this where you can allow yourself to be vulnerable, you can feel yourself growing and evolving as a person and how that will influence you as a man moving forward,” attendee Dizo said.<\/p>\n
The programme is run by black-led charity Poetic Unity and is designed to help attendees express their emotions and build confidence through spoken word.<\/p>\n
Through a mixture of word games, writing prompts and guided discussions, young men are encouraged to bring their authentic emotions to the table.<\/p>\n
The room fell heavy with hushed silence as Dizo shared his poem on mental health.<\/p>\n
‘Removing layers of stigma’<\/p>\n
Dizo shared poems written on the day following a prompt and pieces he’d worked on before [BBC]<\/p>\n
My Guys Don’t Understand Depression<\/p>\n
And it’s not like it’s their fault<\/p>\n
There’s already so much they go through<\/p>\n
Because even on the darkest of days<\/p>\n
We wear the darkest of shades<\/p>\n
Because true say<\/p>\n
We don’t wanna show our tears roll tru<\/p>\n
Depression hits many man in different ways<\/p>\n
So of course it don’t look the same<\/p>\n
“I was having a conversation with a lifelong friend about mental health, it was the first time removing the layers of stigma around it. I felt so positive afterwards, just being open – it inspired this poem,” Dizo recalls.<\/p>\n
According to the Priory group,<\/a> about 77% of men experience anxiety, stress or depression, and 40% never speak about it.<\/p>\n Youth Access<\/a> also reports that racialised youth, and in particular young black people, face additional barriers, including cultural stigma and experiences of racism.<\/p>\n Dizo went on to share how the workshop has helped him process his emotions: “During our first session we had a writing prompt about giving a guide to our younger self.<\/p>\n “I was talking to a friend afterwards about my poem. I thought ‘wow, if I could give this to someone younger than me it could change the trajectory of their life’.<\/p>\n “Poetry is exposing: you’re putting yourself out there. This space has opened the gateway to having meaningful conversations with the men here and in my life,” he said.<\/p>\n Each week discussions are centred around different themes related to masculinity and mental health [BBC]<\/p>\n Dizo also expressed the exhaustion of being repeatedly stopped and searched.<\/p>\n “I’ve been stopped and searched too many times, I don’t feel like that should be normal.<\/p>\n “I live five minutes from the police station – they must have seen me walking my dog before.<\/p>\n “I wasn’t wearing any black and my hood wasn’t up and they still stopped me, it made me feel like I can’t win and I wrote about that experience in a poem,” he said.<\/p>\n Dizo isn’t alone in opening up about harmful stereotypes – other attendees feel inspired to divulge their stories too.<\/p>\n ‘It made me feel objectified’ Benjamin has written poems about different experiences and reflections on life [BBC]<\/p>\n More than just my height<\/p>\n People see the size and get hype<\/p>\n And try make a comment that’s sly,<\/p>\n And I wonder why? Is it cos I’m a guy I should let it slide?<\/p>\n Cos I don’t think that’s right!<\/p>\n And I might not start a fight tonight, but I will think you’re a weirdo,<\/p>\n As you compare me to chocolate and say you want a bite,<\/p>\n Or when u ask “you know what they say about big feet” when I tell you my shoe size<\/p>\n So I’m sorry but it’s taken me all of my might, to tell you “no we can’t take a picture just because I’m 6 foot 9”<\/p>\n Benjamin’s poem explores sexual stereotyping and objectification, something the others at the workshop agree is a common experience.<\/p>\n “I was in a shop and a woman came up to me and took a picture of our feet together. A guy that she was with made a loud comment and said ‘if that’s how big his feet are imagine how big another part of his body is’. That made me feel, I would say objectified and uncomfortable,” Benjamin shared.<\/p>\n He outlined that putting this experience into a poem helped him release pent up emotions, and explained the importance of third spaces for men.<\/p>\n Benjamin – who performs as XVI – has been writing poetry for nearly two years and explains the necessity of spaces like this: “When I write a piece and perform it, it’s good because others can relate to it.<\/p>\n “It’s easier to share in an intimate group like this, it’s a safe space.<\/p>\n “Somewhere I can meet other black men who can relate to the same things and we all have a love for poetry,” he added.<\/p>\n Group discussions over four weeks included love languages, the pressure of manhood and what it means to be a man [BBC]<\/p>\n Programme manager Ehireme Omoaka explained what facilitating the workshops means to him.<\/p>\n “What inspired us was creating spaces for black men to thrive. Being vulnerable with each other and knowing that poetry is a centre point of expression.”<\/p>\n He added: “Seeing people delve into conversations they wouldn’t anywhere else is inspiring.”<\/p>\n Reflecting on last year’s Mandem, Let’s Talk workshop, Ehireme said: “There was one occasion where someone revealed their sexuality, which made me feel like this space really is for everyone.<\/p>\n “People walk in with self doubt, asking themselves ‘who am I’, and seeking support that is found in the brotherhood which is this group.”<\/p>\n Attendees discussed different love languages such as quality time and words of affirmations [BBC]<\/p>\n “Leaving the workshop always feels like a breath of fresh air,” Dizo said.<\/p>\n Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds<\/a> and follow BBC London on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n More on this story![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/21c1f80d696be2c2a1f2a939203d2462.jpg\"\/)
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