We can proudly announce that the Bucks have partnered with Primal Instincts, the men’s mental health group, for the 2024/25 season.
The Bucks’ training tops will bear the Primal Instincts logo, and we hope that by raising awareness of the group, we can achieve a shared goal: encouraging men to be more open about their mental health.
Lee Stevens and Alan Kennedy from Primal Instincts launched the partnership at our home game with Stourbridge FC, along with Ian Preece, director of the AFCTU Foundation, Aimée Lauder, Commercial Sales Manager, and Bucks players Ellis Myles and Sam Whittall.
You may know Primal Instincts because you have either experienced or seen their River Dip events on social media.
The River Dip is their most popular event, but that’s not all they do.
Primal Instincts was founded in 2023 with a simple goal: to help men.
Too many men are still losing their lives because of poor mental health. Any life lost to suicide is a tragedy, but around three times as many men as women take their own lives.
These are avoidable deaths, but you don’t have to be experiencing a mental health crisis to benefit from the environment that Primal Instincts offers.
By accessing their supportive network, men can meet, share their experiences, and build their resilience to life’s challenges.
We know that feeling disconnected and isolated from others is often a precursor to episodes of poor mental health.
By being part of a community of like-minded men, you can reduce those negative feelings that can periodically take hold.
They provide safe spaces for men to come and be amongst other men.
Crucially, every man is welcome.
Primal Instincts offer a range of settings, and although they encourage and recommend the River Dip, it isn’t mandatory.
The group hosts it at 6 a.m. each Saturday morning, and men meet and take a dip in the cold but invigorating waters of the River Severn.
Although this is the most attention-grabbing, it isn’t a gimmick, and it isn’t the only type of support they offer.
Each Sunday at 8 am, they host a Walk ‘n’ Talk in Telford Town Park.
Each Tuesday and Friday at 5 am is their Wrekin Challenge and Share.
Their online session is on Sunday at 8 p.m., and their Talking Circle is on Wednesday night. This powerful gathering provides an opportunity to really unburden yourself in the company of others who will listen without judgment and who understand.
You can find more details about Primal Instincts on their website.
We’re proud that Primal Instincts and the Bucks have understood the potential benefits of joining together and look forward to our partnership.
IMPORTANT!
Whilst Primal Instincts are hugely valuable in helping to build resilience to life’s storms, it may be the case that you or someone you know is in immediate need of mental health support.
Telford and Wrekin Council can help or signpost you to services.
Mental health support services – Mental health support services – Telford & Wrekin Council
For urgent mental health issues, call Telford and Wrekin’s 24/7 helpline
You can call 0809 1964 501 and speak to a professional locally. They can discuss your current mental health needs and provide access to further support if needed at any time of day.
You will not be wasting anyone’s time by calling.
24-hour listening support
Samaritans
When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything troubling you, no matter how difficult:
- call free on 116 123
- visit the Samaritans website.
Shout 85258
Shout 85258 offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support for times when you need immediate assistance:
- text “SHOUT” to 85258
- visit the Shout Crisis Text Line.
Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself?
If you are having thoughts of suicide, are harming yourself or have thought about self-harm, it’s important to tell someone.
These thoughts and feelings can be complex, frightening and confusing, but you do not have to struggle alone.
If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, contact one of the organisations listed to get support right away.
Footnote:
There were 1,439 suicides registered in Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2023 in England, equivalent to a provisional rate of 11.4 suicide deaths per 100,000 people; this rate is similar to the rate in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2023 and to those in Quarter 4 of previous years.
In 2023, 5,579 suicides were registered in England, equivalent to a provisional rate of 11.1 suicide deaths per 100,000 people; this rate was statistically significantly higher than the rates in 2022, 2021 and 2020; however, 2020 saw a decrease in suicide rates because of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the coroner’s inquests, and a decrease in male suicides at the start of the pandemic.
In the provisional Quarter 4 2023 data, there were 17.0 suicide deaths per 100,000 males (1,051 deaths registered) and 6.1 suicide deaths per 100,000 females (388 deaths registered).
