TABLE 1.

Description of support groups and participants

Description of support group	Participant pseudonym and age
Support group 1: Mixed gender, local community‐led support group for adults with mental health difficulties.	Thomas (62) Joseph (retired, 66) Mark (retired, 64) Jim (retired, 74) William (44) Adam (48)
Support group 2: A group for men to meet and do things together. To tackle isolation, loneliness and other difficulties. Men only.	Richard (24) Peter (retired, 62) Andrew (retired, 68) James (retired, 61) Michael (retired, 65)
Support group 3: Service that provides information, peer support groups, one‐to one counselling and training that promote the development of skills and strategies. Mixed services.	Samuel (29) Kyle (34)
Support group 4: A social informal peer‐support group for people experiencing mental health difficulties. Mixed service and activities.	Rhys (57)
Support group 5: User‐led open access support service that provides a drop‐in service. Mixed service.	Matthew (54) Ben (52) Albert (51)
Support group 6: National charity that provides a men's group for those experiencing mental health problems	Barry (38)
Support group 7: Football training session set up for people experiencing mental health problems.	Patrick (54)