TTNG to offer men’s mental health training to members 

The Travel Network Group has launched men’s mental health and wellbeing training modules for members to help support their staff.

 

The consortium also has a menopause workplace policy as part of its drive to support “the person behind the professional”.

 

Details of the initiatives were unveiled at the TTNG conference in Bucharest on Sunday (June 15) with follow-up training workshops being held on Monday (June 16).

 

Ryan Parke, a speaker and coach who specialises in men’s mental health, told delegates about his research into male suicide rates, talking therapies, testosterone and strategies to cope with depression.

 

He has recorded webinars and training modules for members to help their staff, colleagues and other men in their lives, in what he believes is a first for the travel industry.

 

Parke embarked on his research five years ago, following the death by suicide of a friend called Brad, who had tried talking therapies and had been taking anti-depressants.

 

He found out about the “vital” role of testosterone in men’s physical and mental health, as well as the “cuddle” hormone oxytocin, which reduces stress in women but generally doesn’t in men.

 

His top five tips for boosting testosterone, and helping with mental health, were getting enough sleep, eating the right diet, exercising for 20 minutes a day, getting enough vitamin D3, and periods of sobriety.

 

Julie Pinkney, TTNG retail director, said the consortium was “shining a light” on the topic because it was Men’s Mental Health Week (June 9-15) and Father’s Day.

 

She also told delegates about her role as a menopause champion, adding: “Once we started conversations, it was amazing how quickly it changed.

 

“People relaxed and started to support each other with empathy. The stigma has started to lift.”

 

Delegates on the agents’ panel at the conference also shared their own strategies for relaxing and switching off from work.

 

Jonny Fielding, founder of JF Travel in Northern Ireland, said he enjoys his “side hustle” of buying and selling cars, and coaching a lads’ football team.

 

Jo Greenwood Richards, director of Tivoli Travel, extolled the virtues of golf, spa days, holidays and Sundays with family, while Rob Kenton, managing director of Worldchoice agency Triangle Travel, admitted he works very long hours but does enjoy a beer with his garden barbecue.