AN ABERGAVENNY-based mental health group set up in July is reaching out for new members across Monmouthshire.

MEN HEAL was founded by Mike Youell, of Grosvenor Road, to get men together to speak about their problems with their own mental health. He said he had considered setting up the group for a while, but was spurred on by Robin Williams who suffered depression and who took his own life earlier this year.

Mr Youell said: “Men don’t tend to open up about their mental health as much as when women are there because we don’t want to appear vulnerable. So the idea was to run a men’s group, so they are more open.”

Meetings are currently held at Costa Coffee on Abergavenny's High Street from 4pm until 5pm on Wednesdays, and the name is derived from the first few letters of mental health.

Mr Youell added: “I have mental health issues myself but also I think it’s just connecting with similar people and the whole point is to make a community where we support each other."

He said the aim of the meeting was to bring something from the “grassroots, from the heart, just to talk about what they are going through and having fun as well”.

And he said he is keen to help others set up their own groups and is talking to people from further afield, including one in Blaenau Gwent.

Anyone wanting to join the group can get in touch with Mr Youell on 07583 955329.