YORK City left-back Scott Barrow admits he was nervous ahead of speaking at an event about men’s mental health - but “came away realising how important it is to simply talk”.

Barrow was the keynote speaker at the LNER Community Stadium on November 24 at an event called ‘Real Talk’, whose stated aim is to lift the taboo of talking about men’s mental health.

Real Talk, organised by local insurance advice specialists Partners& and co-hosted by the club, was held in support of Movember, a men’s mental health and wellbeing charity.

More than 60 people were in attendance, raising over £1,000 for the charity.

Alongside Barrow were speakers, Jason Jones, director of In Business Ninjas, Grant Phillips from GPC Group Ltd Cleaning and Aaron Devitt from organiser’s Partners&.

Between them they discussed their personal experiences of losing loved ones to suicide, the mental health problems they experienced and the pressures of running a business.

Barrow commented: “I was a little apprehensive going into the Real Talk event because I’ve never spoken publicly about men’s mental health before, but I came away from it realising just how important it is to simply talk.

“As men, we don’t talk enough about our mental health, so it was difficult at times opening up throughout the night.

“There were some incredibly difficult stories to listen to, but also some inspirational ones too.

“The fact that the room was so busy tells you just how important this topic is to so many people.

“We just need to keep going now, keep talking and keep helping each other talk and ultimately, raise awareness that it’s okay not to be okay.”