MASK wearing has become commonplace during the coronavirus pandemic.

But those of us suffering with mental health conditions have been wearing masks of a different kind for quite some time now.

Ours, however, is not actually visible and instead one we put on to the outside world to pretend everything is OK when it quite simply is not.

Sadly, more and more people are starting to suffer – and the statistics are startling.

Suicide is now the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the country and, last year, an average of 18 men per day opted to end their own lives.

It is heartbreaking stuff and more needs to be done to help those who continue to suffer.

And the Echo is pleased to be playing a part.

During national mental health awareness week, we are delighted to announce the start of our campaign.

Our aims are to make people aware of the excellent work being done locally, to advise where help is available, to break down the stigma surrounding the subject and to make people realise it is fine to seek help.

South East and Central Essex Mind helps plenty of people in our area with their mental health and this week appointed Caroline Grant as its new chief executive.

Everything it can offer can be found at seandcessexmind.org.uk But more and more groups are springing up all the time.

Exercise has always been my main way of dealing with depression.

During lockdown I formed my own mental health group alongside Eddy Cooper, a friend of mine.

Echo:

Making a difference - Run Free United use exercise to improve their mental health

It is called Run Free and every other Friday a group of us get together to play football at Garon Park, Southend, and forget about any difficulties we may have been facing.

Last week we played another fundraising fixture for SECE Mind and it was another fantastic night as we drew 4-4 with St Pauli on Sea.

I again showed why I have only ever just written about football for a living instead of playing, but it is always focused on fun and absolutely anyone who has faced difficulties of any kind is more than welcome to join us.

A few familiar faces from Southend United’s recent past have come along to train us and things have really started to take off with the group. We are hosting our own five-a-side tournament to raise funds for Mind on Saturday June 19 and also run our own podcast which has attracted top sporting stars including Kelly Holmes and Colin Jackson as guests.

Please get in touch if you would like to find out more.

Similarly, I was also delighted to attend the first ever Andy’s Man Club in Southend on Monday night.

These groups have been set up all across the country after a man took his life at the age of just 23. Their aims are to get more men talking, something we are notoriously bad at.

On average, one man every two hours takes his life in the UK, and Andy’s Man Club is doing all it can to stop that happening.

I attended in a personal and professional capacity and, after being nervous early on, I enjoyed the evening and left the room feeling much better than I had done walking into it.

Echo:

Opening up - Andy's Man Club has come to Southend

Keen Southend United supporter Darren Smith was helped by the Andy’s Man Club during his own dark times and is pleased to be opening a group closer to home, with sessions taking place at Roots Hall every Monday evening.

“I started to attend Andy’s Man Club virtually at the start of the year after a very dark period in my life which led to me spending six weeks in hospital,” said Darren.

“Having looked for mental health groups locally after my discharge I wasn’t able to find anything that suited but I found AMC on Twitter and I haven’t looked back since.

“AMC has given me a focal point as part of my recovery and I’m now facilitating groups and hoping that Southend will be the first of many face to face groups to open across Essex.”

Andy’s Man Club can also be found across social media and the message is clear – keep on talking. We all have a part to play where that is concerned too. Check on your friends and family and be nice.

You never truly know how someone is feeling and never, ever be ashamed to reach out because as our campaign says, mental health matters.