Not necessarily a therapy group or a space meant to be completely positive and affirming but more a social outing for those who need it. Discussion would be semi-organized and moderated (passing around a plush ball to speak, steering conversation hard away from unnecessary defeatism or ideology), but kept generally as loose as possible.
I'm imagining an absurdist tone and maybe wacky traditions. A wheel for conversation topics, friendly roasting for anyone feeling up to wearing a specially marked "badge of courage" made available for them. The tone would be kept irreverent and not especially sensitive within boundaries.
I could I suppose create more of an organized support group, but I can't help but imagine more men being turned away than attracted by such an idea. I'm just intent to create the sort of space I'd feel welcome in. (i.e. an irl discord server, or perhaps a more conscientious fraternity for people who wouldn't typically get invited to frats.) I will reiterate this is not meant to be necessarily therapeutic as much as welcoming, earnest, and generally supportive.
Any concerns I should keep in mind at any step of the process? I recognize there is extra caution that should be kept when creating a space for the unwell, and I'm not particularly qualified to run such a space besides being personally mentally ill, but frankly I can't see these men as being any worse off alone.
I have a general idea on meeting space and how I'll promote it, but ideas and honest feedback are more than welcome.
EDIT: I'm thinking of giving the group an affectionately self-depreciating name, like a Loser's Club, or even a Gay Loser's Club (am queer myself and don't mind rendering the term even more meaningless), but I don't know if that's going too far. The group would not necessarily be male exclusive, that's just the target audience.
[–][deleted] 6 points7 points8 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Mens sheds
[–]Dogrose22 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
It’s heartening to see people taking steps to make a difference.
I see someone has already mentioned men’s sheds, they do a great job and are worth checking out.
Do you have an idea of how you would like the group to look e.g. will you meet up to hang out somewhere or are you looking to have your own space to meet up, are you hoping to create a group to just meet up and chat or to get together to do projects or planned activities?
Whatever you decide upon or how it develops, I wish you the best of luck.
[–]mistralol 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
I have seen a few created in my area. Once created they are often invaded by desperate single mothers and attempt to use it for picking up guys (basically they want access to an easy wallet).
However. When you then block women from attending it gets labelled as sexist and the group is then reported and often banned from normal apps etc... eg meetup etc...
I have seen a few discord servers around. I even considered setting one up myself. The main problem around them is they quickly decend in quality unless policed with a near zero tollerence. Typically it attracks a lot of content sharing and trolls. Which again results in the server being banned.
[–]leelbeach 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
Make a discord group