Menspeak Breakthrough With Neurodiverse Men’s Groups
MenSpeak founder Kenny Mammarella-D’Cruz will be facilitating the next NeuroDiverseMenSpeak on September 15th, 2022. The live monthly online men’s group has revealed the vital importance of creating a space for the voices of neurodiverse men to be heard including those with ADHD, Autism, OCD and Dyslexia.
MenSpeak have been holding men’s groups for 20 years and the neurodiverse group is an important addition to the men’s group community. The monthly groups are open to all men whether clinically diagnosed, self-diagnosed or curious about the possibility they may be neurodiverse. After identifying neurodiverse men’s struggles with concentration and over-thinking, the group targeted a need by creating a group that allows these men to feel connected, understood and part of a community.
Patrick Hayes has been attending daily men’s groups since the start of lockdown when Kenny launched online sessions every day to keep men safe, sane, and connected. Patrick was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 56 after being inspired by the story of another group attendee. He is now an accredited MenSpeak men’s group facilitator who co-facilitates the neurodiverse men’s group with Kenny.
“I discovered MenSpeak in lockdown as a father of three in crisis,” reflected Patrick. “I was fortunate enough to meet someone through the groups who shared his recent Adult ADHD diagnosis. The penny dropped after years of disorganisation and distraction. Six months later, I’m now professionally diagnosed and wonderfully connected with a community of neurodiverse men in the MenSpeak community where we discuss life hacks and share personal experiences.”
NeuroDiverseMenSpeak gives a voice to any man who navigates their daily life affected by their neuro-programming. Men are given space to share how they are and how they cope with their condition in a confidential and safe space, free from hierarchies and clinicians.
"The lack of connected thinking and problems with processing emotional cues that neurodiverse men often experience leads to panic,” explained Kenny who founded MenSpeak 20 years ago whilst in the throes of his own mental health crisis that included OCD and Body dysmorphic disorder. “Across a lifetime, this can grow into loneliness, isolation and, in extreme situations, suicidal ideation. It can have a devastating impact on quality of life and how men view their position in the world.”
The connection with men with similar mental wiring that NeuroDiverseMenSpeak offers, and the insights gained into how others manage their neurodiversity, have enabled attendees to develop a new blueprint for life and contribute positively to society.
MenSpeak has the distinction of contributing to the world’s first male psychology degree module at Sunderland University’s School of Psychology. Senior Lecturer Dr Rebecca Owens commented, “The aim is to raise awareness of male psychology and emphasise the importance of understanding differences. Kenny and his facilitators allow students to experience a men’s group online session and it is invaluable through its experiential approach. Students can understand the impact of peer-to-peer groups and their importance in early intervention strategies”.
Kenny’s long-term goal is to enable men’s groups to be as available 12-step treatment programmes and reduce their need in future. Men can wait up to 18 weeks for mental health treatment on the NHS and will normally be offered a limited number of cognitive behavioural therapy sessions. The immediate availability of men’s groups mean they can be the solution to waiting for over-stretched services and early intervention can make significant savings to the NHS.
Booking for NeuroDiverseMenSpeak is available at https://www.meetup.com/menspeak/events/288230644/.
NeuroDiverseMenSpeak begins at 6.45pm to allow time for attendees to adjust to the online environment for a 7pm start. Unlike other MenSpeak men’s groups, the neurodiverse men’s group includes as many breaks and as much movement as necessary. Donations range up to £15 depending on income, with the money going to the MenSpeak Community Interest Company (CIC) that was created during lockdown to support running costs. All facilitators volunteer for free and MenSpeak are a non-profit organisation.
For more information about MenSpeak and the only accredited training for facilitating men's groups that awards CPD points, visit https://www.menspeak.co.uk/ where details can be found regarding specialised men’s groups such as NeuroDiverseMenSpeak, YoungMenSpeak and DadSpeak. MenSpeak are keen supporters of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th, 2022 that closely connects with MenSpeak’s early intervention ethos.
About Kenny – Kenny Mammarella-D’Cruz founded MenSpeak 20 years ago. He is the author of the Amazon No. 1 bestselling e-book “Online Men’s Groups Success: A Step-by-Step Guide to Facilitating Personal Development Groups for Men”. He has worked with Mother Theresa whose sacrifices in the face of relentless work and exhaustion inspired Kenny to start his journey of public service. He has 25 years’ experience in facilitation and provides CPD accredited training to professionals, therapists, and coaches.
Contact/Media Enquiries:
Kenny Mammarella-D’Cruz – kenny@themanwhisperer.co.uk / 07957350034