An Ayrshire-wide organisation dedicated to improving the mental health of men has launched its latest promotional campaign.
Release Ayrshire is a ‘first-step chatting platform’ who are dedicated to supporting men and kids who are currently going through tough times.
They were established almost three years ago and the group has a dedicated bunch of volunteers ready and waiting to help support those who reach out to them.
Behind the organisation is Robbie Muir, aged 32, who was prompted to start Release Ayrshire after a spate of tragic suicides over the course of one weekend.
Robbie takes up the story: “We have been running three years come October. It got set up because there was a spate of suicides, in Cumnock, East Ayrshire. In one weekend there was three.
“I knew I had to set something up where people can go and talk about how they are feeling.
“And it’s just bloomed; that’s the only way I can describe it.
“We have online volunteers on the page who are anonymous. And they are ready for anyone to send in a message. We’re not a counselling service, more a first-step chatting platform.
“We’ll basically talk to them, give them a bit of support and we’ll sign-post them to other organisations who may be beneficial to them.”
In recent weeks, Ayrshire Live has told how the number of suicides in South Ayrshire are at their highest level in over 10 years.
New data, released by the National Records of Scotland, shows 19 people in the council area took their own life in 2019.
That’s the highest number recorded since 22 residents died 13 years ago in 2007.
Statistics from East Ayrshire also revealed 26 people died by suicide there in 2019. That was the same number as 2018 and the joint highest recorded since 2001.
Across the whole of Ayrshire the number of suicides fell slightly from 65 in 2018 to 63 in 2019 – but sadly that was still the second highest figure recorded since 2007.
That’s why organisations such as Release Ayrshire are so important. They can provide that support and advice when someone is at their lowest ebb – maybe even prevent another tragedy.
Robbie, who is the chairperson of Release Ayrshire, said: “We’re on Facebook and it’s a lot easier for people to interact. We find that folk will maybe ‘say’ a bit more from the words they type than speaking on the telephone.
“We basically want to break down the stigma over mens’ mental health and try to encourage guys to talk a bit more.”
When someone sends in a PM, the volunteer who responds will stay with that individual for as long as it takes to get them through their troubles.
Robbie explained: “The volunteer to correspond to when you message in, they stay with you. That’s so that the volunteer knows the back story of the person in need.
“And we want to raise as much awareness as we can. We are aiming it directly to guys but we do get females message us too and they won’t be turned away. Anyone who messages in will get support because it’s important to talk about your problems, rather than keeping the world on your shoulders.”
The group has come up with a unique way in which do reach out to Ayrshire men in difficulties.
They have produced some wellbeing packs (pictured above) which are sent out to anyone who thinks they may benefit from them.
Robbie said: “We usually do awareness campaigns but with everything that’s happened COVID-wise it’s been put on hold. We can’t get volunteers together, then get the packs distributed that way.
“Basically, they are getting posted out to folk and it’s about trying to focus their minds.”
The packs include a self-help journal, which lasts for a year, an aromatherapy candle, there’s pens, tea bags and Release Ayrshire merchandise too.
The wellbeing packs are so popular that the group distributed 167 of them to those seeking help before Christmas.
And Kevin Brown, founder of Fit Ayrshire Dads, is also a fan and he’s agreed to become a brand ambassador.
Robbie said: “Kev’s been promoting us from the get-go and he’s come on board as an ambassador. The packs include an aromatherapy candle, there’s pens, tea bags, Release Ayrshire merchandise. It’s a wee pack to give folk a boost and to work on.
“And the journal is great because it helps you depict your day, you can note what was positive and negative and how much exercise you did.
“We gave out 167 before Christmas and now we are pushing it again. We are going to keep going with them.”
Robbie is based in Auchinleck but stresses that Release Ayrshire will help anybody in Ayrshire- and those outside of Ayrshire.
“And it’s not just for adults, we’ll support kids too,” said Robbie. “And the feedback we have had from parents has been phenomenal.
“The biggest thing we are trying to get across is this- please talk to somebody, don’t struggle alone. The hardest thing is to take the first step. But if they make that first step then we can go from there.”
To get in touch go to their Facebook page, asking for a pack. They’ll message you for your address, the pack will be send out and that message will be deleted and you won’t hear from Release Ayrshire again unless you reach out to them.
Any big hearted businesses or organisations out there who wish to support Release Ayrshire is welcome to get in touch via the group’s Facebook page.
