Masculinity, stigma and suicide – men’s mental health in London
Research suggests that there has been an increase in the number of men reporting poor mental health in recent years. An academic study found that “mental distress” in men aged 16–24 in Great Britain increased from about 14 per cent in 1991 to 19 per cent by 2018.[1]
A 2019 MIND survey found that 43 per cent of men reported regularly feeling “worried or low”, an increase from 37 per cent in 2009.[2] More recently, a report published by BUPA in 2025 concluded that at one time or another, half of men (50 per cent) in the UK have suffered with poor mental health.[3]
Anxiety and depression are both common factors associated with suicide, an issue which disproportionately affects men. Three times as many men as women die by suicide.[4] Suicide is the single leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK.[5]
In the first of a two-meeting investigation, the London Assembly Health Committee will explore current trends related to mental health amongst men in London, with a particular focus on common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
The guests are:
Panel 1 - 14:00 - 15:25
- Jacqui Morrissey, Assistant Director of Policy, Practice and Influencing Programmes, Samaritans
- Amy O’Connor, Global Lead, Policy and Advocacy, Movember
- Dr David Palmer, CEO, Mind in Bexley
- Simon Dolby, Fundraising and Development Lead, Mind in Bexley and East Kent
Panel 2 - 15:30 – 17:00
- Sam Davies, Founder, Men Who Talk
- Dr Luke Sullivan, Clinical Psychologist and Director, Men’s Minds Matter
- Mark Rowland, CEO, Mental Health Foundation
- Lucas Whitehead, Head of Marketing and Partnerships, ANDYSMANCLUB
The meeting will take place on Monday 2 June from 2pm in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Gagne, T., Schoon, I., McMunn, A and Sacker, A. Mental distress among young adults in Great Britain: long-term trends and early changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, November 2021
- Mind, Get it off your chest: Men's mental health 10 years on, December 2020
- BUPA, Bupa Wellbeing Index 2025: Lifting the Lid of Men’s Health Report, 2025
- UK Government, Men urged to talk about mental health to prevent suicide, 24 June 2022
- Full agenda papers.
- Emma Best AM, Chairman of the Health Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Health Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Alison Bell in the Assembly Media Office on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.