For years, conversations around mental health have remained difficult for many Black men. Across Salford and Greater Manchester, one group is trying to change that.
For some men who attend, it is the first time they have spoken honestly about how they feel.
The sessions are part of a mental health programme led by John Newton, a youth and community worker with over 30 years of experience working with young people.
With a background in counselling and a long-standing interest in psychology, his work has always centred on one thing: bringing people together.
“I’ve always been drawn towards psychology and how we are towards each other,” he says.
Over the years, his work across different ethnic communities revealed a pattern that has remained unchanged for decades.
“There’s a disproportionate number of Black men accessing mental health services in crisis, and that hasn’t changed since the 1990s.”
For John, this is not just about access to services, but about deeper, more complex barriers. Cultural expectations around masculinity, combined with experiences of racism and discrimination, can create what he describes as a trauma wave affecting many Black men.
“There are cultural norms around how men should behave,” he explains. “There’s a lot of pressure to appear strong.”
Trust also plays a role. For some, past experiences, both personal and generational, shape how safe mainstream services feel.
In response, the programme focuses on creating what John describes as a “relational and safe” space. Here, men can speak freely, without judgment, and feel seen.
“It’s about being able to be authentic and speak your truth,” he says. “That gives permission to open up.”
Sessions combine open conversation with practical tools, including strategies to manage anxiety and stress. For many, this approach is entirely new.
“For some, it can be life changing,” adds John.
Set against Greater Manchester’s long history of diversity and Black African culture, the group also creates space for conversations about identity, heritage and lived experience.
For John, the message is simple but powerful: “Be kind to yourself and talk about your feelings, even when it’s difficult.”
