On World Suicide Prevention Day, the stark reality remains: men represent approximately 75% of all suicides, a heartbreaking figure that demands urgent action.
Leicestershire’s ‘Leg Up Project’, founded by former Royal Marines Commando Kev Bland, is emerging as a beacon of hope, offering tailored mental health support and community connection to men (and women) at risk.
Picture credit: The Leg Up Project
Suicide is the leading cause of death among men under 45 in the UK. Yet many men suffer in silence, unable to voice their struggles due to deep-rooted stigma around mental health and a lack of emotional language. Kev Bland’s personal experience of grappling with mental health after leaving the military fuelled his determination to create a project that breaks these barriers.
“I thought I was okay, but the truth is, I wasn’t,” Bland shares. “I lost friends to suicide, and I knew something had to change. That’s why I founded the Leg Up Project — to give men an outlet and a bit of help before it’s too late.”
The Leg Up Project’s core philosophy revolves around building resilience — the ability to bounce back from adversity — by tackling isolation and loneliness, which are major risk factors for poor mental health. The charity offers an innovative combination of physical outdoor activities such as kayaking, mountain training, abseiling, climbing, camping, hiking, and canoeing alongside educational wellbeing courses focused on emotional literacy, motivation, and healthy lifestyle choices.
“The outdoors is incredibly healing,” says Bland. “When men come together to challenge themselves physically, they also build trust and friendship. It’s not therapy in the traditional sense — it’s about positive psychology, moving forward, not dwelling on the past.”
Picture credit: The Leg Up Project
One of the key barriers the project addresses is that many men grow up without the tools to express or process emotions healthily. Bland explains, “Men don’t talk about feelings like women do. They don’t have the language for it, so they bottle things up. Our courses teach them how to recognise emotions, process triggers, and undo negative thinking patterns.”
Since launching in 2019, the Leg Up Project has supported hundreds of people, helping about 80 individuals just this year. Originally set up for men, the organisation has since opened its doors to anyone who feels they’ll benefit from its support.
One standout success story is “Patch,” a veteran medic who was on the verge of suicide in 2022. After intervention by veteran support networks, Patch joined the Leg Up Project’s 28-day course and found the support he desperately needed.
“Patch was struggling with PTSD and a toxic relationship,” Bland recalls. “With help from the project, he retrained as a paramedic, completed his first year, and is now training to be a doctor. It’s an incredible turnaround.”
The Leg Up Project won a prestigious BBC Make a Difference Award earlier this month, highlighting its vital role in mental health provision. Yet Bland emphasises that the real success lies in the everyday victories of participants reclaiming their lives.
Picture: BBC Leicester
“It’s about the people who come on our courses and find the strength to keep going,” he says. “They support each other, form bonds, and build a sense of belonging that’s often missing.”
As a Community Interest Company (CIC), the Leg Up Project also works with local businesses to develop mental health initiatives aimed at reducing absenteeism, raising productivity, and creating healthier workplaces.
“We want to be proactive, not reactive,” Bland explains. “It’s about teaching people to look after their mental health before things get bad.”
Kev Bland’s own journey has been central to the project’s ethos. Leaving the military after seven years due to injury, facing identity loss, becoming a father, and navigating civilian life were deeply challenging. These experiences underpin the project’s authenticity and compassion.
“I still face daily challenges,” Bland admits. “But the project holds me accountable, keeps me connected, and gives me purpose. I don’t do this for pride — I do it because it’s necessary.”
Picture credit: The Leg Up Project
On this day dedicated to remembering those lost and raising awareness (Wednesday, September 10) the Leg Up Project sends a clear message: help is available, and no one needs to face mental health struggles alone.
“If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone — your doctor, a friend, or reach out to groups like ours,” Bland urges. “The first step is the hardest but also the most important.”
The Leg Up Project welcomes anyone seeking support or wanting to join their community. More information can be found at: https://the-leg-up-project.com/
