<Are you in Coventry this Mental Health Awareness Week? Head to Chase Avenue Police Station and grab yourself a wellbeing pack.>

A founder of a walking group set up to support men’s mental health says it’s ‘mind-blowing’ how quickly it has grown.

Back and Forth – Men’s Mental Health was co-founded by PC Dan Phillips as a tribute to his friend and colleague PC Marc Forth, who died by suicide in April 2023.

The group aimed initially to give male officers and staff in West Midlands Police an outlet to look after their mental wellbeing and to support their colleagues.

But it has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in September 2023.

Stresses

It gained charity status in October and now has around 2,300 members, including members of the public.

Speaking to mark this year's Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place this week (Monday 12 until to Sunday 18 May, the theme for which is community, Dan said: “It’s mind-blowing how quickly it’s gathered pace.

“We never set out to be a charity.

“It was for colleagues at work, because we’re dealing with the same sorts of stresses and circumstances as each other on a daily basis.

“More and more people heard about us, wanted to be involved, and said they knew someone in need of some support, and it’s just grown from there.”

Support has come from a variety of sources.

John Slinger, the MP for Rugby, ran the London Marathon to raise money for Back and Forth.

Back and Forth – Men’s Mental Health co-founder PC Dan Phillips.

Fundraiser Andrew Harris took on the challenge of completing 1,083 miles – the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

He completed that during the Coventry Half Marathon, which took place on the same day as the London Marathon.

And there was even a message of support from iconic ‘80s singer Tony Hadley, the former frontman of Spandau Ballet.

Dan said: “There is so much going on.

“Lots of people want to support us and fundraise for us, which is absolutely brilliant, and we thank them all for that.”

Back and Forth organisers have put together wellbeing packs for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Stress ball

The packs include a cup, a tea bag, biscuits, and a stress ball, as well as literature about the charity and promoting its activities.

Dan said: “We have a table set up at Chase Avenue Police Station, where people can come and have a chat and grab one."

The group will host its usual walks for Mental Health Awareness Week, one in Coventry and one in Rugby.

And there will be an evening social at Broadstreet Rugby Club on Friday 16 May

“We’ll be there if people want to come and have a chat,” said Dan. 

More information is available on the charity’s website https://backandforthmmh.co.uk/

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