By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

creating positivity from negativity

‘Man Up’ men’s support group coming back to Red Deer Feb. 11

Jan 31, 2025 | 9:13 AM

The Man Up men’s support group is back.

Based in Red Deer, the group will meet for the first time in over five years, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 11, inside the Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence.

Originally started up by former local radio host Mike Thibeau in 2018, it had to take a hiatus; but Thibeau is optimistic the second rendition will be much more enduring.

“There were times [before, when] we would sit and listen to guys’ stories, which puts a new perspective on things,” says Thibeau. “You’re going through some stuff, but all of a sudden, you hear this guy’s story, and it’s incredible [because] it helps shift some things in your mind. When you’re connecting with these other guys, you see it’s not just you going through this.”

Thibeau, who went through his own rough patch and had to navigate the family legal system, hopes to bring in professionals to these meetings so attendees can learn some things and pick their brain.

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If there are lawyers, doctors, nutritionists or other experts out there interested in taking part, send him a message, he asks.

In the end, Thibeau’s goal is to help other men become their best.

“A lot of lessons were learned, [there were] a lot of questions, [and] a lot of stress. Over the course of my many years on this Earth, I’ve learned many lessons the hard way, so I want to take those lessons and pass them along,” he says.

“I hope to educate men going through similar circumstances so they’re not butting up against those lessons as hard. It’s very emotionally draining, and it’s daunting. I want to turn a bad situation into a positive situation.”

He stresses that the group is not just for men going through legal issues; if someone is simply facing depression, anxiety or other mental health issues for any other reason, this is the place for you, he says.

Thibeau also credits certain women in his life as his biggest supporters in getting the support group going, and doesn’t rule out that a similar women’s support group could spawn from ‘Man Up’, or that it could expand to other regions.

Attending the support group is free, and more information is at manupsupport.ca.

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