This MANUP? Talks session focuses on something many men quietly struggle with. How to respond when someone close to them opens up about trauma or abuse.
When a friend, partner, or family member shares a traumatic past, many men want to help but do not know how. Fear of saying the wrong thing, making it worse, or not knowing what to do often leads to silence, awkwardness, or pulling away altogether.
This session explores why that happens, and what actually helps.
Led by Ally Fog, an Ambassador for the Association for Mental Health and Wellbeing (AMHW), this talk looks at how men are affected by the pain of those around them. It explores how lived experience, social expectations, and lack of confidence can shape men’s responses when conversations become heavy.
This is not about judgement or blame. It is about understanding normal human reactions and learning how to stay present without feeling the need to fix everything.
What this session will cover
Why men may struggle to engage with someone else’s trauma.
How men commonly respond when a friend or partner discloses abuse or past trauma.
The role of fear, embarrassment, and uncertainty in shutting conversations down.
Practical ways to listen without minimising or rushing to solutions.
How to support someone while also protecting your own wellbeing.
Who can attend
MANUP? Talks sessions are open to men and women. This session is for anyone who wants to better understand how men respond to trauma and how conversations can be handled with care, honesty, and confidence.
A Zoom link and passcode will be shared after sign-up.