Game of II Halves Conference returns to Beacon of Light this April

The Game of II Halves Conference is set to return to the Beacon of Light this April offering an afternoon of open and inspirational conversations on men’s mental health.

Join us at the Beacon of Light between 1pm and 5pm on Thursday 17 April to hear from a range of informed speakers on topics such as alcoholism, societal changes, and recovery.

The conference is a highlight of Foundation of Light’s Game of II Halves programme, which aims to raise awareness around mental health issues and suicide prevention.

Game of II Halves targets men aged 16 and over in Sunderland, offering them skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to lead mentally resilient lives.

Guest speakers include Kieron Brady, a former Sunderland AFC footballer who was forced to retire due to injury, Dr Mark Ord, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Sunderland University, and Dr Jon Rees, an Associate Professor of Applied Research Methodology at Sunderland University.

The speakers will be joined on stage by Kathy McKenna from Washington Mind for the panel Q&A. 

There will be opportunities to ask the panel questions and share good practice through individuals lived experiences. Local services will be on hand to help attendees with signposting as well as raising awareness to their own services.

Book tickets for FREE via the following link or find out more about the guest speakers below:

Click Here to Book Online

Kieron Brady

A former Sunderland AFC player, retired at 21 owing to injury, Kieron specialises in helping those afflicted with alcoholism. He has been sober since June 2009, having gone through a programme of recovery, and speaks publicly on a regular basis about his experiences within alcoholism, recovery and wider mental health.

Dr Mark Ord

Dr Mark Ord is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Sunderland University. He specialises in the evolution of competitive and mating behaviours and how they manifest in the modern world.  He is currently involved in the study of male mental health services in Sunderland and is researching the psychology of various elements of the so-called ‘manosphere’ e.g. involuntary celibacy and Andrew Tate. In his talk he will discuss the evolution of male competitive behaviour and how societal changes interact with evolved behaviour to impact upon men’s mental health.

Dr Jon Rees

Dr Jon Rees is Associate Professor of Applied Research Methodology at Sunderland University, leads the male psychology research group and works on a range of health improvement projects across Sunderland and the North East. He is also a recovering alcoholic and someone who has had long term mental health problems. He will share some aspects of his journey focussing on the challenges of being a man living a life with mental health difficulties and particularly looking at the process of recovery.

Game of II Halves Conference

Thursday 17 April, 1pm-5pm

Beacon of Light

Book Online:

Eventbrite - Click Here