JIM meetings with a difference for Caithness men

JIM – a new group for Caithness men – will be starting meetings at Stepping Stones, Thurso, on Monday (October 11) from 7-9pm.

Run through Listening Ear, the group, which involves no pressure and is free of charge, meets at multiple locations in the county. The evening at Stepping Stones will involve pool and darts, and men are invited to just drop in for a blether.

Another JIM group is set for The Haven, Wick, with a provisional date of Wednesday, October 20, at 7pm scheduled. It will provide similar peer support, and activities along with refreshments.

Listening Ear project coordinator Julie Marker explained: "We are learning that many men are particularly averse at asking for help, with this in mind we have recruited a men’s worker to lead a new group called Caithness JIM which is to encourage men to Join In More.

"The group is activity based and encourages peer support, we invite men of all ages and backgrounds to get on board and help us to support each other. We may be well and getting on with life one day, but, we know that depression, stress and anxiety can come upon anyone at any time.

"Our work is about taking collective action to normalise talking about our worries and concerns. For some that is in a group setting, for others it is one to one."

More information can be found on the Listening Ear Caithness website.

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