Could connection be the missing prescription in men’s health?

This week on The Meaning of Men we're joined by Dr. Henry Aughterson, a junior doctor, researcher, and passionate advocate for community-based healthcare. Together, we explore the concept of social prescribing—a movement that connects people with local activities to boost wellbeing and tackle root causes of distress.

Dr Henry explains how men often find it easier to connect “shoulder to shoulder” through shared activities. From football clubs, gardening groups and choirs, he shows how these spaces reduce loneliness, foster purpose, and help men feel part of something bigger. His research reveals powerful stories of men who describe these groups as the single most important step in their mental health journey.

We also dive into the broader message that vulnerability is not weakness but strength, and that self-care is vital if we want to care for others. This episode is an invitation to reimagine men’s health as something lived in community, grounded in meaning, and strengthened through connection.

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