Home / Health / Car Meets Drive Open Mental Health Talks
Car Meets Drive Open Mental Health Talks
5 Jul
Summary
- Motor enthusiast hosts car meets for men's mental health discussions.
- Events aim to break down barriers and encourage honest conversations.
- Community provides a safe space for sharing and building friendships.
Lewis Warren, a 33-year-old brand consultant from Brixworth, Northamptonshire, is spearheading a movement that uses car meets as a platform for men to openly discuss mental health. These events, held on the second Sunday of each month at various locations including Gasoline Juice in Weedon Bec, aim to dismantle the stigma surrounding male vulnerability.
Warren, who hosts up to 100 cars at his Coffee and Cars meet-ups, believes that by first engaging people through a shared passion for cars, deeper and more intimate conversations about personal struggles can naturally emerge. This approach helps men overcome the protective barriers they often put up when asked directly about their feelings.
Regular attendee Craig Abbott from Duston, Northampton, attests to the positive impact of these gatherings, stating they have helped him feel genuinely listened to. The sense of community and diversity among attendees has allowed him to forge new friendships he wouldn't have otherwise made.
Inspired by his own teenage experiences where his car served as an escape, Warren plans to expand his brand, Takona, into a car club. This expansion aims to further strengthen the community by enabling members to attend automotive events together. Daryl Shearman from Towcester joined the community after purchasing a car in memory of his father, finding the events invaluable for open mental health discussions in a safe environment.
