19/11/2025
Today is International Men’s Day, and I want to shine a spotlight on something that’s often hidden but deeply urgent: men’s mental health.
Too many of us suffer in silence. The numbers don’t lie:
• Around 75% of all su***des are men. 
• In England and Wales, the male su***de rate rose to 17.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 — the highest since 1999. 
• Despite the scale of this crisis, men are significantly underrepresented in therapy: only 33–36% of referrals to talking therapy services are men. 
• Self-harm is often hidden, too. In England in 2022/23, nearly 6,000 males aged 10–24 were admitted for self-harm, though that’s still less than the number of females in the same age group — partly because male suffering goes unreported. 
These aren’t just statistics — they’re lives. Fathers, brothers, friends, sons, colleagues. Men who feel trapped by stigma, told to “man up,” or convinced that seeking help is a sign of weakness.
So today, I want to say this loud and clear:
It’s okay not to be okay.
You are allowed to ask for help.
Your life matters.
If you’re struggling, or know someone who is — reach out. Talk to a friend, a family member, or a mental health professional. Let’s change the narrative. Let’s start more conversations. Let’s make it okay for men to be vulnerable.
This International Men’s Day, let’s commit to breaking the silence — together. 💙🩵
