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Trigger warning: this article discusses suicide<\/strong><\/p>\n There was a packed house at St Matthew\u2019s Community Centre in Holbeck on Wednesday, World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September 2025) for a performance of Men\u2019s Talk ahead of a visit from the Baton of Hope<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n This powerful production was performed by six men with lived experience of mental health issues. The ensemble combined speech and movement to explore a range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD; look at their roots for each man and explode the myths that poor mental health means you are weak and need to \u2018man up\u2019.<\/p>\n From childhood games to jibes on the assembly line the scenes played out leading to feelings of isolation and self-loathing. It didn\u2019t shy away to reality of self-harm and suicide.<\/p>\n A powerful section went through the statistics of fuel debt, disability benefits and more, each topic interspersed with an ironic chorus of \u201cWe are the reckless, the feckless, the underserving poor; We\u2019ve got our hands out, we\u2019re demanding more.\u201d<\/p>\n The over-riding message of performance was the importance of talking to someone when things aren\u2019t going well.<\/p>\n In the question and answer afterwards it was explained that every episode depicted had happened to the men, but that the stories were mixed up so that no one had to tell their own story as that would be too difficult, too triggering, for amateur performers.<\/p>\n Asked about the process they explained that rehearsals took place in a safe, non-judgemental space.<\/p>\n \u201cDealing with performing in public helps you deal with other difficult issues in your life\u201d explained one of the cast.<\/p>\n \u201cIt brings you out of yourself\u201d said another \u201cand it\u2019s empowering to know that you\u2019re making a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As we waited for the arrival of the Baton of Hope, I spoke to two women who would be carrying on its next legs across the city.<\/p>\n Lindsay Atkinson-Buckley told me:<\/p>\n \u201cMy brother unfortunately took his own life seven years ago and I also work as a Coroner\u2019s Officer so I spend my days helping families so it was important to me to get involved.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s lovely to see so many people come together. I think it\u2019s really important to have these kinds of events where families and friends can come together, because I think it\u2019s such a difficult form of grief, it\u2019s like no other. When you meet others that have experienced it you do form bonds and you form a little community which offers more support when the events stop, when the anniversaries aren\u2019t there, but the days are still hard.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a really lovely area for me (to be carrying the baton). It\u2019s where we used to park with my brother and my grandad to walk to Leeds United matches when we were kids and my great grandma used to live in the flats that used to be over the road, so it\u2019s the perfect area that my brother would have loved.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Caroline Lipman explained:<\/p>\n \u201cMy daughter Alice who died when she was 20, three years ago. She was a young trans woman awaiting healthcare. We all know what our government is doing to trans people and limiting their rights and their access to care, so I\u2019m walking to raise awareness of the impact of not acknowledging trans existence.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n When life is difficult, Samaritans<\/strong> are here \u2013 day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123<\/strong>, email them at jo@samaritans.org<\/strong><\/a>, or visit samaritans.org<\/strong><\/a> to find your nearest branch.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n While you\u2019re here, can we ask a favour?<\/strong><\/p>\n South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we\u2019ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.<\/p>\n Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Mens-Talk-St-Matthews.jpeg\")
<\/a>The cast of Men\u2019s Talk<\/p>\n\n
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