How it all started.

You see we’re pretty rubbish about talking about mental health (though we’re getting better).

But it’s still the case that 3 out of 4 people who take their own lives are men (we need to reduce both sides of this equation though, clearly). 

So I guess The Summit Club seemed like the perfect stepping stone. 

We’d head to the hills. Phones in pockets. Walking and talking. United in a common objective of climbing a mountain together. 

The perfect antidote to the pace of modern life. 

Emails, texts and social media would simply disappear for a day. 

Replaced by laughter, soreen and (sometimes) incredible views.

That was the plan anyway…

Since then, something pretty interesting has been happening. 

Our numbers have been growing steadily month on month and the response has been overwhelming. 

Perhaps more importantly, there are many more supporting us from the sidelines. Shouting about what we’re doing. 

All of this has told me that we’re on to something here. 

So this is me spreading the word and formally introducing The Summit Club. 

You might be wondering if I’ve figured out where I want to take this yet. 

The honest answer is that I’m still not 100% sure, but eventually it’d be pretty cool to think this could become a full-blown social enterprise. 

Making a genuine difference and impacting lives at scale. 

You see, at some point we have to draw a line in the sand and say ‘no more’.

• No more parents attending their sons' funerals. 

• No more kids growing up without dads.

• No more partners growing old without their husbands. 

That’s the mission here. 

There are some amazing people already doing important work around this (Andy’s Man Club and CALM spring to mind).

I’m merely scrambling on to the shoulders of giants to help out. 

So going forward I’ll be building The Summit Club in public. 

Partly to keep myself accountable, but mainly to bring you into the mission. 

Thank you for reading this far and lads, remember: 

It’s OK to talk. 

Joe Connor

Founder @ The Summit Club