Suicide Awareness

MK Dads Club and MK Mental Health are running a suicide awareness session at Cobra House on Thursday 12 November, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. It's a two-hour interactive training session built for men, and it opens up on suicide and mental health challenges just as we're heading into the festive period — a time when loneliness and isolation can grow for a lot of people.

The session works on spotting the warning signs that someone may be in crisis, building confidence in having supportive conversations, and breaking the stigma around men's mental health. The starting point is a stark one: around 75% of suicides involve men, yet far fewer men access support services. It's that gap the night is really about — why it's so hard for men to reach out, and how to make it easier to do so.

It's not just about the signs, though. The session signposts local and national support and encourages a culture of openness, compassion and connection. It's an interactive thing, so you're not just sitting and listening; you'll be talking through these things with other men in the room. Under-18s are admitted with a parent or legal guardian, so it's open to younger lads as well as older ones.

The whole thing is run by MK Dads Club and MK Mental Health, two local groups that know their way around these conversations. It's held at Cobra House, Securitas, Ortensia Drive, Milton Keynes MK17 8LX, Buckinghamshire. Entry is free, and the session runs from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with doors open from 6:30 PM.