Structured Abstract:Purpose This paper presents findings from an evaluation of a mental health resilience intervention for unemployed men aged 45-60. The paper examines the place of facilitated peer support within a men's mental health programme, and explores implications for resilience building approaches for men.
DesignThe paper draws on before and after survey data and qualitative interviews, to report results concerning effectiveness in changing men's perceived resilience, to consider project processes concerning peer support, and to situate these within wider environments.
FindingsThe programme significantly raised the perceived resilience of participants. Project activities promoted trusting informal social connections, gains in social capital arose through trusting relations and skillsharing, and peer-peer action-focused talk enhanced resilience.
Practical and social implicationsThe paper discusses gender-sensitive approaches to engage men and build resilience by focusing on doing and talking and peer support, and highlights the need to consolidate gains with a focus on individual and community resilience.
Originality/valueThe paper adds fresh evidence of gendered intervention approaches with a specific focus on facilitated peer support, including effects on male resilience.