Three players from Spalding Hockey Club are aiming to break the silence on men’s mental health and suicide within the Lincolnshire hockey family.
Sam Howlett, Mike Morris and David Dorey-Rodriguez have launched Talk Stick, an initiative to encourage hockey clubs around the county to raise awareness for men’s mental health and suicide prevention in the game.
Talk Stick was started due to the sudden loss of a friend and team mate last summer.
Howlett, Morris and Dorey-Rodriguez wanted to create an environment where all current and former players, supporters, partners, parents, umpires and associates could come together to speak within the club to show no-one is alone.
The idea is to give people a platform for all men to get things off their chests – or just “talk stick” – and speak to one another about all the good or negative things.
Talk Stick is in partnership with Lincolnshire-based men’s charity Bro Pro UK and a session has already been held for Spalding Hockey Club.
Sessions with Alford HC, Louth HC and Leadenham HC are due to take place in the coming weeks and the hope is that other clubs in the county will follow suit.
Talk Stick is on Facebook and Instagram.
Managed by South Lincs based charity Tonic Health, Talk Stick has secured funding through the Shine Lincolnshire Suicide Prevention Strategy Grant to deliver a roadshow of men’s mental health information and awareness sessions throughout 2025.
Sustainability funding is also underway with more than £1,000 raised through donations and sales of a limited edition Talk Stick t-shirt.
Visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/talk-stick—breaking-the-silence
