Drinkaware partners with Andy's Man Club and Chris Kamara to say to men that 'it's okay to talk about drinking'

• Drinkaware launches a new campaign in partnership with mental health charity Andy’s Man Club and football legend Chris Kamara 
• The campaign, launched in Mental Health Awareness Week, aims to say to mid-life men (aged 45-64) that ‘it’s okay to talk about drinking’
• Over half (58%) of men aged 45-64 say that drinking is often used as a coping mechanism by men their age
• Nearly 2.5 million men aged 45-64 regularly drink over the Chief Medical Officer’s low-risk drinking guidelines of 14 units per week, putting their health at serious risk
• Campaign video: here 

Over half (58%) of men aged 45-64 say drinking alcohol is often used as a coping mechanism by men their age, while one in five find it difficult to open up without an alcoholic drink, according to a new survey by Drinkaware, out today (Monday 12 May), at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. 

Drinkaware’s new campaign in partnership with Andy’s Man Club - a charity dedicated to supporting men through the power of conversation – and fronted by football legend Chris ‘Kammy’ Kamara aims to say to mid-life men (45-64) that ‘it’s okay to talk about drinking’. 

Kammy attended an Andy’s Man Club (AMC) group session where he listened as several men bravely shared their own personal experiences of the impact drinking has had on their mental health. Kammy also reflected on his own relationship with alcohol and understanding of mental health. Watch here.

As part of the campaign Drinkaware surveyed 2,000 men aged 45-64 which found:

• Men aged 45-64 feel most comfortable speaking with their partner or spouse (39%) about their drinking, with 37% feeling the same when it comes to their mental health
• Over half of men (57%) aged 45 – 64 believe their alcohol consumption has no impact at all on their mental health
• 85% have not had a serious conversation about their drinking with anyone in the past 12 months, with 70% not having a serious conversation when it comes to their mental health
• Around one in three (29%) believe it’s normalised for men their age to drink heavily
• Half (55%) say not drinking alcohol has no impact on their social life
• Over a quarter (28%) of men do not think men their age have someone to turn to if they are struggling with their mental health
• Over one quarter (26%) drink over the low-risk guidelines at home, while 11% drink do so outside of the home

Chris Kamara, former Sky Sports presenter and football legend, said: 

“I look at my lifestyle and it’s changed completely over the years. These days, I’m more of a social drinker rather than a binge drinker. I don’t feel alcohol is part of my condition, and after hearing the incredibly personal and moving stories shared by the Andy’s Man Club lads, I’ve realised that it’s okay to talk about your drinking and mental health.” 

Karen Tyrell, CEO of the charity Drinkaware, commented on the campaign: 

“Sadly, in the UK, men are much more likely to drink alcohol and less likely to talk openly about their mental health, and this is in part fuelling the current crisis in men's heath.  

“Opening up about how we’re feeling isn’t always easy and sometimes drinking feels like the answer. We’ve partnered with Andy’s Man Club and Chris Kamara to show the power of talking and as our campaign shows once you've taken the first step the benefits are clear.  

“One simple way to understand whether your drinking could be putting your physical and mental health at serious risk, is to complete the Drinkaware Drinking Check - a short, five-minute quiz. It could be the first step to drinking a little less and feeling much better.” 

Luke Ambler, co-founder of Andy’s Man Club, commented:

"We are delighted to be working with Drinkaware to highlight the links between alcohol and mental health - it is so important to provide education around the issue and to also continue to smash the stigma surrounding men's mental health. 

“Anything we can do to share people’s personal stories and provide people with that sense of relatability they’re so often seeking when they're struggling, is invaluable."

The impactful stories heard by Kammy during the Andy Man’s Club session touched on a range of deeply personal issues — from Dan’s struggles with postnatal depression, which led him to turn to alcohol, to Oli and Simon using drinking as a coping mechanism and a way to escape from the everyday pressures of life.  

But, thanks to the power of conversation and the safe space provided by Andy’s Man Club, they were able to take steps toward turning their life around. This led to a healthier relationship with alcohol, inspiring others that they, too, can make positive changes. 

To take the first step towards understanding whether your drinking could be putting your physical and mental health at serious risk, you can visit the Drinkaware website and complete the free Drinking Check – a short, five-minute quiz – today. To find the nearest Andy’s Man Club to you, please visit their website here.

To find out more about the campaign, visit the Drinkaware website at: www.drinkaware.co.uk/talkdrinking