We fully support the launch of Men’s Health Strategy by the Department of Health and Social Care to address both physical and mental health challenges faced by men and boys.
We’re pleased there is a big focus on men’s mental health, particularly suicide awareness and prevention. With suicide as the biggest killer of men under 50, it’s so important that we have a focus on suicide prevention – this includes tackling the stigma and creating space for men and boys to talk more openly about their mental health.
We welcome the commitment in the strategy to invest in this area, and the further investment to community-based support as the NHS moves from hospital to community, and sickness to prevention. We know how valuable community-based support is from the impact of our services.
Our community development teams across the country work within their local communities to help reduce barriers that prevent people from accessing support. Here are some of the ways they’ve done this:
- Collaborations with a local men’s charity to co-deliver mental health sessions within male-dominated workplaces, including warehouses, driving/transport sectors, and construction settings.
- Delivered workshops focused on recognising how anxiety and depression present in men and provided clear guidance on where and how to access support.
- Attended and facilitated sessions within men’s peer-support groups to promote open conversations and early help-seeking.
- Worked with Job Centres and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver mental health sessions for individuals on long-term sick leave, supporting early engagement with therapeutic services.
- Partnered with housing organisations and homeless shelters predominantly male-led to deliver accessible workshops tailored to men experiencing housing insecurity. Developed a targeted men’s mental health campaign, including marketing materials aimed at increasing engagement with talking therapies.
- Delivered sessions alongside men’s mental health charities and a local community charity as part of a dedicated men’s mental health event, with a specific focus on supporting Black men.
- Partnered with predominantly male-led housing organisations and homeless shelters to deliver accessible workshops tailored to men experiencing housing insecurity.
- Developed a targeted men’s mental health campaign, including marketing materials aimed at increasing engagement with talking therapies.
- Delivered sessions alongside men’s mental health charities and a local community charity as part of a dedicated men’s mental health event, with a specific focus on supporting Black men.
- Contributed to the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), exploring why Asian and Black men are less likely to access talking therapies and supporting therapists to better understand cultural barriers and engagement challenges.
Through the amazing work of our teams, we know from experience that it’s possible to break down the barriers that prevent men accessing the right support at the right time. We’re also really pleased to see and welcome the ring-fenced funding in community-based men’s health services, and to build together the important work of this strategy into our services, current and future.
Adam Crampsie commented:
“This strategy matters because it brings focus, investment, and a commitment to reach men who too often feel left out of the system. We stand ready to play our part to make sure no man struggles alone.”