The Brothers 2017 Resume...Part One

Date: Monday 08 Jan 2018

Brothers in Arms 2017,

Wow, what a year!
From an initial idea of creating some kind of group to support men and their mental health in Scotland in 2016 and a statement of intent to have something in place by November 2017, Brothers in Arms had its inaugural launch in June 2017 at the Milngavie Classic Car show, ahead of schedule,  

Of course, none of this could have been done without the support of See Me Scotland and the wonderful Squab Squad volunteers, who turned up on the day to talk to the public and raise awareness.

Before we knew it there was a fundraising walk in August, by climbing Ben Lomond to raise money so that we could achieve charity status.

Without time to draw breath, we were invited to meet Rona Mackay MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden at her office in Kirkintilloch.

The MSP is backing the new group and told how there is a gap in meeting the unique help men need to address mental health issues. Ms Mackay said: “It is a travesty that the biggest killer of men under 45-years-old is suicide. We are in desperate need of groups like Brothers in Arms. I heard about its organisers concern that there is a cultural barrier preventing men from seeking help, for various complex reasons. Men going through problems need to know that they are not alone and there are people out there who want to help them like those in Brothers in Arms.” Ms Mackay has also lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament marking the start-up of the mental health organisation and sponsored us to have a stand at the Scottish Parliament.

At her invitation we decided to team up On Sunday 20th August as part of the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival 2017, at The Old School, a Classic Gentleman's Barbers located in the heart of the town, owner International Master Barber Stuart McFarlane was holding an open day at his premises for local people to come and discover the art of the real haircut for men, no nonsense just classics all day every day, with music and chat about all things, men, mental health, haircuts, and style.

 

 

with Brothers in Arms, Scotland’s first men's mental health organisation hosting a stand to raise awareness of men and how they deal with their mental health in Scotland, Stuart who understands the importance of creating and providing a safe space, where men can come to experience a relaxing atmosphere that they can talk about their 'stuff' without judgement and get some chill time and a trim.

The Brothers were excited to announce that as part of The Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival, they were invited by Richard Warden their Film Curator, to be part of a day of screenings of films that focused on men, on the 14th October at The Centre for Contemporary Arts on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.
We co-presented a men’s mental health workshop with Duncan Cowles an award-winning filmmaker whose work delves into interpersonal dynamics with frankness, insight and humour. Currently developing a feature-length documentary titled Silent Men, Duncan illuminated his approach to having subjects open up on things often left unsaid, and invited audience members to volunteer as interviewer or interviewee, in role play or real life.

Hollywood legend Cary Grant was troubled for most of his life by self-doubt and insecurity, seemingly due to childhood trauma. Using words from his unpublished autobiography and newly-discovered personal footage, this documentary explores Grant’s life, from childhood poverty to global fame, and the long course of LSD treatment that he felt helped him reconcile himself with his own identity. Directed by Mark Kidel.
The screening was followed by a discussion on men's mental health, co-presented by Dan, PTB & Tony from BIA and director Mark Kidel with film curator Richard Warden.