Men’s mental health in London

Suicide is the single leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK. The current Government announced in November 2024 that it would be publishing a men’s health strategy in 2025, which will include a focus on mental health and suicide prevention. It states that this will form a key part of the 10-year plan for the NHS. 

The London Assembly Health Committee is investigating men's mental health in London and what can be done to provide more support. 

• To 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
• To understand the drivers and causes of common mental health problems in London
• To ask to what extent men are using mental health services in London and what barriers they face to accessing these services
• To understand the extent of mental health stigma affecting men in London and explore ways of further destigmatising mental health as an issue in London
• To examine mental health inequalities experienced by men amongst particular demographics in London
• What action the Mayor has taken and can take to support men’s mental health and mental health services in London

• In England, men are less likely to report having experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety (12 per cent) than women (19 per cent). However, research suggests that there has been an increase in the number of men experiencing poor mental health. An academic study found that the prevalence of “mental distress” in men aged 16–24 in Great Britain increased from about 14 per cent in 1991 to 19 per cent by 2018. Research carried out by Mind in 2019 found that 43 per cent “admitted to regularly feeling worried or low”, compared to 37 per cent in 2009. However, there is limited London-specific data about men’s mental health.
• There is considerable mental health stigma for men, with reasons ranging from a reluctance to burden others, poor emotional understanding and societal expectations.
• Men are more likely to use coping mechanisms for mental health issues that could be harmful, such as using drugs or alcohol. Symptoms of depression such as irritability, anger, aggression, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling and other risk-taking behaviours are all more common among men than women. Suicide is the single leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK.
• However, men are less likely to access psychological services than women, as only 32 per cent of referrals for NHS Talking Therapies were men between 2023-24.
•  Research suggests that statutory services are not meeting the rising demand for mental health care in the UK.

• What are the key drivers of poor mental health amongst men living in London? 
• How are men interacting with mental health services in London and do they face barriers in accessing these services?
• What mental health inequalities exist amongst particular groups of men and how can these be addressed? 
• What further actions should the Mayor take to address the mental health of men in London and help destigmatise men’s mental health?

As part of its investigation, the Committee issued a Call for Evidence. You can read a summary of the responses here.