Black Country mental health charity and founder shortlisted for awards
A Black Country charity set up to tackle the stigma surrounding men's mental health has been shortlisted for an award along with its founder.
Tough Enough To Care, along with founder Stuart Bratt, were nominated for the National Diversity Awards by a member of the public.
The charity could receive an accolade in the Community Organisation category – with Mr Bratt nominated in the Positive Role Model category.
Mr Bratt, who is from Wombourne and now lives in Dudley, set up the charity after he lost two friends to suicide last year and decided to act, having been inspired by hard-hitting beer mats.
He said: "I lost two friends within the space of four days and they were completely unrelated.
Covid-19 coverage:
"It came about because I saw a picture of a couple of beermats on Facebook and it was like 'Is there someone missing from the table?'
"It said to reach out and I shared it on Facebook before I set up Tough Enough To Care.
"We had to get some of those mats and within six months, Marston's had got on board and we've probably sent out between 30,000 to 40,000 worldwide."
The former RAF weapons technician, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2002-2009, said he was "proud" to be nominated with the charity.
Worthwhile
He said: "We've been nominated for these awards and it's not even about winning the awards.
"We're not in it for prizes or pats on the back and trophies, but it's nice someone has nominated us.
"It means we've made enough of a difference for them to think we're worthy of it, myself and the organisation, and it's that I'm really proud of.
"I live and breathe this charity and all the late nights are worthwhile if we're helping someone.
"A lot of mental health charities are quite reserved and ours is straight-shooting – saying it as it is.
"It's all about removing the stigma surrounding it."
Mr Bratt praised the "main nucleus" of the team – including Dan Browning, his wife Laura Bratt, Victoria Bratt, Mark Swain, Mike Atkinson, Chloe Swain, Lee Rowlands and Craig Nevin.
The 35-year-old said the mental health impact of coronavirus would "way outlive" the virus – and stressed there needed to be support in place for people.
The charity usually runs weekly support groups at a community centre provided by West Midlands Fire Service – and they hope to hold a fundraising event on August 1, if Government guidelines allow.
For more information visit Tough Enough To Care on Facebook.
