A FORMER solider has set up a special group for men to talk about their mental health following Mental Health Awareness Week.

Gareth Howell, of Redcar, has established the community in memory of friends he has known in the army and in Redcar who have experienced mental health problems, with some taking their own lives.

“The idea was just to get people together and talking,” the man, who served in the army for 23 years, said.

“There was a number of suicides in Redcar last year, so I got the Walk n Talk Facebook group together and we put a few flyers out and 20-odd men turned up for the first walk to Marske and back in March. We’ve had 400 people join the group. There really is a need out there."

The former Staff Sergeant in the Royal Corps of Signals has also had advice and support from the council in establishing the group.

He added: “Obviously, we haven’t been able to go walking out since. The only time was a single walk with four people absolutely socially distanced – because there was one lad who really needed it.

"The Facebook group is good for lads just having little chats with each other. Of course, we signpost people to mental health experts whenever needed.”

Mr Howell first got involved with the council when he arranged for a memorial bench for servicemen and women to be erected on Redcar’s Esplanade.

“I call it my reflecting bench. I go to there to think and remember,” the man, who joined the army at 16 and today works at Alpek Polyester UK ltd as a Chemical Process Technician at Wilton, said.

“It is also good as a place for people to remember the modern veterans of conflict who can be much younger, as well as those who served in the world wars.”

Councillor Steve Kay, Redcar& Cleveland's cabinet member for health, housing and welfare, supported Mental Health Awareness Week.

He said: “Gareth and the group are doing really brilliant work and it shows the value of just having a chat in a friendly way which can, sometimes, lead to people getting the specialist support they need.

"There are a lot of groups out there for people who might just need to chat. It can make all the difference in the world. It’s good to talk. We all need to give thought to our mental health and a little bit of time working on our wellbeing can have a big impact.”

Find Walk n Talk on Facebook.