'Dinosaur macho' mindset needs to end, says Kamara

Men struggling with their mental health will be able to discreetly ask for help as part of an initiative launched by former footballer Chris Kamara.

More than 30 people across Guernsey's hospitality, tourism and other sectors have been given mental health awareness training as part of the scheme that is hoped to eventually be introduced in the UK.

People were encouraged to use the phrase "Here for Chris" - which stands for to "Calm, Helping, Reassuring and Inviting Space" - to ask for help.

Kamara, who has spoken about his own mental health struggles, said he had a "dinosaur macho approach" before changing his ways, adding: "We've got to stop men taking their own lives."

The former Bradford City player and manager said: "I've gone through the mental health problems and these little voices talking in your head get louder and louder unless you speak to somebody and try and get help.

"I was a dinosaur, to be honest, I wallowed in my own self pity and you don't speak to anyone.

"You've got this dinosaur macho approach - I can't tell anybody what I'm feeling or what I'm going through.

"No, just throw that away and speak to people.

"You'll be surprised how many people want to help you."

Kamara said seeing a therapist had helped him understand the importance of opening up.

"I never thought in a million years I'd go and see a shrink, but he helped me so much," he said.

"He kept saying to me, 'The day you come out and tell people what's going on is the day you start getting better', and it's so true."

Staff who have been given mental health training were not expected to offer advice but Guernsey Mind said they had been shown how to spot signs of poor mental health, listen and direct people towards further support.

The training was funded by VisitGuernsey.

Kamara, who was in the island for the first time, said he hoped the initiative could eventually be adopted across the UK.

"I've never been to Guernsey before, I only had [former England footballer] Matt Le Tissier telling me how beautiful it was, and I realise now what a beautiful place it is," he said.

"It's so important to start in a small place and eventually, hopefully, in five years' time, we're talking about it all over the UK.

"We've got to stop men taking their own lives."

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