There was obvious joy at Selvhjælp Herning when the association received the news that the "Fonden Sol og Strand Margit og Kjeld" foundation is supporting the association with a total of DKK 50,000.

"We are very grateful for this donation, which makes it possible to offer men in crisis an eight-week course in a self-help group," says acting daily manager Maria Hussak.

The program is entitled "Kom Videre Mand" (Move On, Man), and the target group is adult men who find themselves in a difficult situation and whose mental health is therefore at risk. This may be due to divorce, dismissal, grief, or illness.

Men are not as adept at handling life crises because they may find it difficult to share their thoughts and feelings when life is challenging. Research shows that 20 percent of men aged 25-39 do not have a confidant, and joining a self-help group can be a significant help in this regard.

"It is a confidential forum where people can talk to others who have also attempted suicide. It helps them to gain clarity about their situation, see new opportunities, and become aware of how they can achieve their goals," says Maria Hussak, citing a specific example.

"In one of the courses, we had a man who had just gotten divorced, and unfortunately he also lost his job during the course. But he found a new job and left the course with newfound joy and optimism. He had also rediscovered his old values and was cultivating his relationships again, so he was definitely a man who had moved on, she says.

This example is not unique. Selvhjælp Herning has been running the "Kom Videre Mand" (Move On, Man) program since 2018, and according to Maria Hussak, this has resulted in more men returning to work and more reducing their stress levels and risk of developing depression.

"We have had good experiences with these courses—the biggest challenge is actually recruiting men, because they tend to hide away, so we have to put a lot of energy into reaching the target group," she says, encouraging people to contact Selvhjælp Herning if they are interested in hearing more about the project.

Dream come true

Married couple Margit and Kjeld Andersen founded Sol og Strand A/S in 1979. In connection with the company's 40th anniversary, the couple transferred ownership to a foundation based on a desire to preserve and develop the company in Danish hands and to support charitable and local causes.

"We are delighted that our dream of establishing the Sol og Strand Margit og Kjeld' fund has become a reality and that we have the opportunity to support such a valuable project as Selvhjælp Herning. It is important that these men have a safe space where they can get support to move forward and regain their faith in life, says Kjeld Andersen.

"We have received more than 100 applications, which indicates that there is a great need for assistance. We are therefore delighted to have been able to distribute almost DKK 2.2 million to associations and organizations," says Margit Andersen.

In total, the fund has donated just under three million kroner this year, and this amount is expected to increase in the future.

"The fund is a guiding star for the employees of Sol og Strand A/S, and we want to make a difference in the world around us by supporting local and charitable causes. The better we do at Sol og Strand, the more significant it is for the foundation and its work, says Per Dam, CEO of Sol og Strand A/S.