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In this episode, I talk to John Houston head coach and founder of the South Moreton Boxing Club in south Oxfordshire. A year ago he started The Cornermen, a service aimed at improving men’s mental health and suicide prevention and how doing something and talking whether it be walking, talking or boxing is the key to getting men to open up.
Suicide is the leading cause of death of men under 50, and the Cornermen’s aim is to reach men downstream before they hit catastrophe by providing access to experienced professionals. They'll even come and pick you up in their London taxi (where better to start talking than in a taxi) and bring you to the club to talk through their issues, get advice and engage in a workout. Alternatively, you can just go for a walk and talk in the beautiful country surroundings or even get a haircut at the in-house barbershop.
I then talk to Carl, diagnosed with PTSD, about his life and the traumatic events that contributed to his mental health issues, and the tipping point when he realised that his behaviour was not normal and that he needed help. He then discusses how The Cornermen has helped him learn how to better manage his PTSD long-term and improve his overall mental and physical health, and how he has found his own 'cabin in the woods'.
For more information, contact the website: The Cornermen, email info@thecornermen.org, or call Steve James on 07552 189548.
