Big boys don’t cry

Traditional expectations of masculinity such as being strong, stoic, and self-reliant can make asking for help feel like failure.

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under the age of fifty nationally, and despite progress, entrenched gender norms mean that there is still a societal stigma for many men in opening up about their mental health and seeking help.

A London Assembly Health Committee investigation into Men’s Mental Health, reached several key findings:

• The stigma surrounding men’s mental health continues to have a harmful impact, preventing them from opening up about their mental health and acting as a barrier to accessing services in London.
• Some demographics are more likely to experience poor mental health than others in London. Those who identify as LGBTQ+ and those from minority ethnic backgrounds can be at higher risk of developing mental health problems.
• The NHS offers a range of mental health services in London, including its Talking Therapies programme which was described as “world-leading”. However, considerably fewer men than women are accessing this service in London.
• Men faced many challenges in trying to navigate the system for mental health support. A lack of joined-up care and an inconsistency of provision for men’s mental health services across London, was described as a “postcode lottery”.
• The voluntary sector plays a crucial role in complementing NHS services and providing additional forms of support.

The Committee report ‘Men’s mental health in London’ makes several recommendations including:

• The Government should develop an action plan to increase access to, and take up of, Talking Therapies amongst men.
• The Government should include a programme for tackling the stigma associated with mental health that prevents men from accessing services.
• The Government should provide sufficient funding to address waiting list times for vital mental health services for men in London.
• The Mayor should actively work with the Government to roll out the dedicated mental health emergency departments in London.

Chairman of the London Assembly Health Committee, Emma Best AM, said:

“Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under fifty; a shocking statistic which has not changed despite substantial increases in funding for wider mental health services.

“Loneliness can creep into men’s lives in a city as fast-moving as London, and the pressures of work, housing, and financial insecurity weigh heavily on mental wellbeing. It’s a fact that any man in London could struggle with their mental health for a range of reasons.

“During this investigation we spoke to many brave men with lived experience who were bold enough to come forward and tell their story publicly. For this, we are so thankful.

“The Government’s forthcoming Men’s Health Strategy presents an important opportunity to make real progress. We have shared our findings with the Mayor, the government and the GLA, and I urge them to act on our recommendations - investing in prevention, supporting the voluntary sector, and helping ensure that every man who seeks support can find it quickly and without judgment.