In October 2017 I lost my friend to suicide but knew nothing of his mental health issues and his experiences in the last two months of his life.

I decided to organise a men's mental health event. It was supposed to be a very small affair but after putting an appeal out on Facebook I realised that this was a big subject on people's minds and to do it any justice I needed to give it the space it seemed to be asking for.

The event will be held on Sunday 20th May, at the end of Mental Health Awareness Week, at Leeds City Museum. It will serve as a launch event for a series of activity sessions and so will combine a mixture of mental health charities/organisations providing information and support, activity/social groups to join up to, real stories from men who have experienced mental illness, and a variety of workshops such as a visit from State of Mind Sport, Mindfulness For Men and Self Care Isn't Selfish". (Full schedule available at mensmentalhealthevents.wordpress.com)

It was very important to me that real stories be heard at this event. We need real conversations about mental health and mental illness.

I have created a crowdfunding page to receive donations towards the cost of organising the event i.e. advertising costs, arranging venues for activity sessions, providing money towards activity overheads for community projects. Any remaining money will be donated to CALM (see www.justgiving.com/lisabourne31)