Break the Silence: Music for Mental Health

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Break The Silence is a new event from SYMS Events & Promotions, created to use live music and community to support better conversations around mental health. Each event will raise funds for a different mental health charity, starting with a three-day event from 26–28 June 2026 at SNAFU in Rotherham, in aid of ANDYSMANCLUB.

ANDYSMANCLUB is a UK men’s mental health charity that offers free, no-judgement peer support. Set up in 2016 after the loss of Andy, it now runs over 240 local groups every week. Men come together over a brew and biscuits to talk honestly about how they’re doing, hear each other out, and be reminded that it’s okay to talk. As of 2025, more than 5,700 men attend sessions every week.

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Why This Matters Now:

Mental Health in the UK & South Yorkshire

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- Common mental health struggles are widespread: In England, about 1 in 4 adults experience a mental health problem each year; weekly, around 1 in 6 deal with issues like anxiety or depression. 

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- Rates are climbing: As of 2023–24, 1 in 5 adults was living with a common mental health condition—this includes 15.4% of men and 24.2% of women. 

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- Young people are especially at risk: Among those aged 16–24, 25.8% reported experiencing a common mental disorder, up from 18.9% in 2014. 

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- Suicide remains a stark reality: In 2023, there were 7,055 suicides across the UK, the highest toll since 1999—and suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50. 

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- Men’s mental health is often hidden: Only 36% of NHS mental health therapy referrals are men—even though 12.5% of men have a diagnosed mental health disorder. 

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Spotlight: South Yorkshire’s Mental Health Landscape

Exact figures for South Yorkshire are hard to pin down, but the wider picture is worrying.

During the pandemic, referrals to mental health services across England dropped by 61%, even while cases of depression doubled. That gap points to a lot of people struggling without support — and there’s no reason to believe South Yorkshire was any different.

In Sheffield alone, more than 95,000 adults — around 17% of the population — have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression. Around 5,000 people are living with more severe conditions such as psychosis or serious depressive illness.

South Yorkshire also includes some of the most deprived areas in England, including Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield. Long-term financial pressure, job insecurity, and social inequality all play a major role in mental health, and the impact is felt every day across the region.

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What to Expect at Break the Silence 

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You can expect live music from a wide mix of South Yorkshire artists, bringing different sounds together for one shared purpose.

It’s more than just a gig. The day is about connection and conversation, creating space to talk openly about men’s mental health and the importance of community support.

All proceeds from the event go directly to Andy’s Man Club, helping fund the spaces where men can sit down, talk honestly, and support each other.

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Join us and make a difference: Let’s come together, make some noise—and truly Break the Silence.

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