‘I’ve never been in a situation with guys talking like this before in my life’ understanding the impacts of a university-based, male student, peer support group, on its facilitators

There is a plethora of research exploring males’ reluctance to seek support for mental ill-health. At the same time, ever rising numbers of university students experiencing mental ill-health are being reported. Researchers are now looking to generate knowledge of what works for male students in terms of improving their mental health. This study reports on a small-scale evaluation of a male-only peer support group: ‘Talk Club’ (TC), based in one university in northern England, in order to understand the impacts on its male student peer facilitators: ‘Captains.’ A focus group was conducted with the three TC Captains. Data was analysed using a thematic codebook approach aligned with two research questions addressing the impacts on the Captains and the enabling factors. Findings reveal that the student Captains experienced positive outcomes which they ascribed to undertaking their role in TCs, including improved relationships, validation of interests and emotions, and skills for the future. The Captains also encountered challenges related to establishing boundaries and navigating unexpected attendee revelations. This research offers a unique contribution to knowledge, by reporting on the impacts of the TC group on the male students who acted as peer facilitators.