Transforming Male Mental Wellbeing with Brothers in Arms
At Brothers in Arms, our mission is simple: we want to help men feel better mentally. We know it can be tough to talk about feelings. That's why we're working to make it easier.
What is the Blethr Project?
Blethr is a big part of how we do this. It's a tool that uses technology to support men's mental wellbeing. Think of it like a safe place where men can talk about what’s on their minds without fear of being judged.
But Blethr isn't just any tool. It asks questions to understand how you’re feeling. Some might call it a ChatBot, but we like to call it a Conversationer.
Why We Made Blethr
Many men want to explore the idea of using therapy but find it hard to get something that meets their needs. Waiting lists can be long, and it can be expensive. That’s why we created Blethr and made it free—to give men a chance to talk and get support when they want it.
The Idea Behind Blethr
Blethr is based on ideas from psychology. Ian McLaren Wallace came up with two concepts: "What Happens Inside, Happens Outside" and "Human Nature for Human Beings." He worked with developer Neil Fogarty and Dan Proverbs, founder of Brothers in Arms, to create something special just for men.
How Blethr Works
Blethr lets you guide your own journey. You talk about what you want when you want. It uses a method called Clean Language, which helps you express yourself without feeling judged.
Always There for You
One of the best things about Blethr is that it’s always available. Day or night, you can talk to it. Importantly, everything you say is kept secret, so you can share without worrying.
If you want to know more about our digital wellbeing tool, click the link here: Blethr.
The Future of Blethr
We’re starting in Scotland, but the goal is to reach even more men. We believe Blethr can make a big difference, one conversation at a time.
For many men, a barbershop is more than just a place to get a haircut. It's a spot where they feel comfortable, can hang out, and have real conversations. The Barber Project uses this environment to help with mental health.
This idea comes from Brothers in Arms charity, Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU), and Rebel Rebel barbershop in Glasgow. The goal was to train barbers to talk about mental health with their male clients. This effort aims to break down barriers that stop men from opening up.
Society often expects men to hide their feelings. This can stop men from asking for help and leads to high suicide rates. The Barber Project wants to change this by helping barbers talk about mental wellbeing with their clients.
Rebel Rebel's early success saw 12 barbers trained. Now, Glasgow Clyde College has included these workshops in its hairstyling courses. The workshops teach barbers how to discuss sensitive topics and respond to mental health issues. The goal is not to make barbers into therapists but to help them be good listeners.
Feedback from the training has been positive. Students feel more confident talking about mental health and are eager to help. The project encourages men to have important conversations about their feelings.
The next step is to train other professionals like personal trainers and sports coaches. This will increase the number of people who can start these vital discussions.
The Barber Project shows that empathy works. One conversation can make a difference.
For more information about our digital wellbeing tool, click the link here: Blethr.