Whilst researching and preparing this series on Relationships, Josh Campbell preached at the C3 Church Cambridge on 22nd April talking about “Courageous Friendships”. As a result, I added-in “Healthy Friendships” to our schedule. Why? Because healthy friendships are fundamental to being single, dating, marrying.So welcome to the podcast, Pastor Josh Campbell.Josh referred to two c.1hr sermons delivered Levi Lusko which were “The secret to making friends”  and “You need friends”.Statistics to put a male orientation on loneliness:MALE LONELINESSAccording to a recent YouGov poll in the UK:18% men (1-in-5), don’t have a single close friend1 in 3 men (32%) don’t have a best friendFor women the figures are 12% and 24% so potentially less severeThe main difference is that men struggle to talk about their loneliness than women, which has the effect of making them even more isolatedMALE SUICIDESamaritans' interpretation of the ONS 2022 data for England:Overall suicide rate of 10.5 per 100,000 (same as 2021)Male suicide rate was 3x that for women i.e. 16.1 per 100,000 compared to a female rate of 5.3 per 100,000The highest suicide rate is in males aged 50-54 (23.1 per 100,000)Much ascribed to men’s inability to talk about their lonelinessIf you know somebody who is rock-bottom and there is any thought they might want to end their life, ask them if they’re considering suicide. Asking the question can ONLY help. It will never give somebody an idea of taking that action. Don’t put it off. Who’d want to be too late? Want to talk more? Contact Alan Colley via Facebook or email ([email protected]).THREE key points from Josh's sermon:1 - Keep an open heart (in terms of the impact of others' friendship with you and yours to them)2 - Stay humble (nobody wants a know-it-all, arrogant, proud mate)3 - Don’t be a coward (have those difficult conversations even if they risk the relationship)Secular groups that are aimed to help with loneliness and men's mental health:Men’s sheds https://menssheds.org.uk (a few around Cambridge)Andy’s Man Club https://andysmanclub.co.uk (Cambridge AMC led by one of our Ascend brothers)ASCEND CAMP 24 - 7/8th June, Thetford ForestBy the time you see this, we might be out of spaces. Check Brushfire for the latest.Camp 23 bloke: "It just keeps on getting better. An amazing experience and fun to see it grow."FOR UPCOMING ASCEND EVENTS sign up here.To subscribe to our weekly inspiring emails, please complete the form here.WHAT IS ASCEND MEN?Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by regular male-oriented events. Relationships are built shoulder-to-shoulder doing stuff in preference to eye-balling each other!Ascend Men is that community.Our podcasts reflect that desire to challenge, inspire and equip our men. Some are light-hearted easy-listens. Some deserve to be digested and pondered. If you love them, tell us - we could do with the encouragement. If you can see ways they could be improved, tell us - feedback is a gift.Join our Facebook group or email us ([email protected]) to hear more about our fantastic breakfasts in Cambridge, Bury and Colchester as well as our Camp in June.

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