Mark Fleming Writer

The power of family, friendship and community to destigmatise mental health. launched the first Changing Room programme in April 2018 (5 years ago yesterday), pioneering this groundbreaking initiative at and . The Changing Room has one goal – to promote men’s mental health and wellbeing through the power of the beautiful game. SAMH have now rolled these programmes across Scotland (Aberdeen, Albion Rovers, Alloa, Annan Athletic, Clyde, Cowdenbeath, Dundee, Dundee Utd, Dunfermline, East Fife, Falkirk, Livingston, Montrose, Morton,
Motherwell, Peterhead, Queens Park, Rangers, Ross County,
St Mirren, with more to follow). The model is also being rolled out to women’s groups. Hibernian Community Foundation has taken the 12-week Changing Room sessions at Easter Road to the next level, developing the programme into monthly drop-ins, providing a free, safe and private mental health hub, going under the banner Support Our Supporters. To launch SOS, one of the Hibs CR alumni, Paul Taylor, shared his powerful story of how family and friends coaxed him back from depression and su***de. Read it here:

https://www.hiberniancommunityfoundation.org.uk/news/pauls-story

Hibs Community Foundation, a charity responsible for many local outreach initiatives, including, in conjunction with , the Changing Room (for men’s mental health), Monday and Wednesday free lunch clubs, Hibs Memories (older fans facing isolation, mental health issues and early-onset dementia), and foodbanks. Club captain and HCF Board member David Marshall was present, pictured with CR alumni Dave, Neil, Paul and yours truly.

Flashback to Portobello Book Festival 29 Sep - 2 Oct 2022.
My mental health memoir ‘1976 - GROWING UP BIPOLAR’ was featured. Festival co-organiser Bill Jameson interviewed me about what prompted me to share often difficult but life-affirming experiences.