MACON, Ga. — Churchill's on Cherry stands as a known destination for food, drinks, and cigars. But on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 'guys' night out' looks a little different.
The monthly Men’s Mental Health Meet-up, hosted by Macon Mental Health Matters and the Macon Violence Prevention program, finished its first series of meetings on Tuesday.
Macon Violence Prevention Program coordinator Jeremy Grissom says he saw a need to create a safe place to help men express what they're going through.
"Oftentimes, there's not that place that exists in communities," Grissom said. "This is a shared partnered event with Macon Mental Health Matters. So, we also give the participants the understanding that they can have access to free mental health services. You never know how much that can do for a person."
Jonathan Barton said he's found comfort in attending the meet-ups since their start in November of last year.
He's got a simple message for those thinking about attending.
"Give it a try," he said. "Macon Mental Health has free therapy for Macon (and) Middle Georgia. So, I will tell anyone to take advantage of that because therapy is expensive. If you want to get out there and try it for free, I'm a big advocate for it."
Men's Mental Health Meet-Ups is just one of the MVP's latest approaches to breaking the stigma around men's mental health in Macon.
While the events help men take a break from the daily routine to reflect and exchange advice, Grissom also says there is sometimes a direct link to conflict resolution and promoting safer communities.
"Whether they're dealing with depression, or whether they're suicidal or whether they're just angry, downright angry, some of those things can mitigate problems that we see - whether it be domestic violence or conflict resolution or to just talk about what you're experiencing," Grissom said. "Sometimes we're just able to relieve that burden."
With this series coming to a close, organizers will be working to expand the program until meetings resume in the fall. The next series of meet-ups will be announced at a later date.
But Grissom sees how its made an impact so far.
"I think it's changed the community in whole," Grissom said. "There's hope that wasn't there before. I think that there's a feeling of a turn in violent crime and public safety. Just people wanting to be connected."