THERE are hopes to shatter the mental health stigma for men with the launch of a weekly get-together in Alloa this week.

Thursday, July 18, will see the first of hopefully many open-door The Man Cave meetings at the Indodrill Stadium.

Wasps Community Club academy coaches Max Nicholson and Mark McAuley teamed up with Wellbeing Scotland to provide the free sessions anyone can attend, even without an interest in football.

The duo, both Dunfermline natives, felt compelled to help tackle the growing number of male suicides in the wider area after six people took their own lives from their wider circle of friends and acquaintances.

The first event will start at 9pm on the day with tea and biscuits, like-minded people, opportunities for a chat as well as signposting to support services.

Mark explained Max was very much a driving force behind the initiative and even if they can save just one person, the effort was already worth it.

He hopes to use football for good as a vehicle to deal with social issues, but the get-togethers are not about the sport and anyone is welcome.

Mark said: "It's available to anyone who wants to come along and be heard because that's sometimes all we need, just somewhere to talk, something to do."

The stigma around mental health, especially for men, is definitely still present according to Mark, possibly more so in sport then elsewhere.

However, he also hopes things are slowly changing and wants to highlight the success stories, instances when people did manage to get better and move forward.