Wednesday marked International Men’s Day, and with it came something genuinely historic: England’s first-ever Men’s Health Strategy. For those of us working in healthcare and social care, this is a long-overdue recognition that men’s health has been overlooked for far too long, and a clear call to action for all of us on the frontlines of care.
The statistics paint a sobering picture. Men live nearly four years less than women, and suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 50. Three out of every four suicides are men. But behind these numbers are fathers, brothers, sons, and partners who suffered in silence when they didn’t and shouldn’t need to.
Where We’ve Been: A History of Silence
For much of the 20th century, men’s health simply wasn’t on the policy radar. The post-war archetype of the “strong, silent male” dominated, effectively marginalising discussions around male mental illness. Even when public health campaigns addressed conditions like heart disease that predominantly affected men, they often targeted women as the family health managers, leaving a significant policy vacuum.
This had real consequences. While the gap in life expectancy between men and women narrowed from six years in the early 1980s to around 3.7 years by the mid-2010s, that progress has now stalled dramatically since 2011. More concerning still, men’s healthy life expectancy has actually declined by 1.5 years over the last decade, meaning the average man now spends over a fifth of his life—more than 17 years—in poor health.
Where We Are: The Silent Crisis
Today’s reality is stark. Men in the most deprived areas of England live nearly 10 years less and suffer almost 19 fewer years in good health compared to those in the most affluent areas. This isn’t just about poverty—it’s about the complex web of factors that prevent men from seeking help.
Consider Danny Sculthorpe’s story. The former professional rugby league player found himself struggling with suicidal thoughts after a career-ending injury. In his own words, he admitted to “doing a typical ‘man thing'” by bottling up his emotions, fearing the stigma associated with mental health struggles. He felt like a burden to his family and couldn’t bring himself to speak up. It was only when he finally opened up to his wife and parents that he found the path to recovery.
Danny’s experience isn’t unique. A government call for evidence found that over half of male respondents hadn’t sought medical help for a health concern in the past three years. The reasons? They minimised the issue, tried to tough it out, or simply avoided it. This reluctance to seek help is deeply intertwined with traditional masculine norms—the pressure to be strong, emotionally controlled, and self-reliant creates powerful internal barriers.
The consequences are devastating. Male suicide rates in England and Wales reached 17.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2023—the highest point since 1999. Middle-aged men, particularly those aged 45-54, face the greatest risk, with rates in the most deprived areas almost double those in the least deprived.
Beyond mental health, men face significant physical health challenges. Prostate cancer affects 27% of all male cancer cases, and there’s a concerning link between prostate cancer treatment and cardiovascular disease. Androgen Deprivation Therapy, a common treatment for advanced prostate cancer, can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes—highlighting the need for integrated, holistic care.
Where We Need to Go: The New Strategy
The Men’s Health Strategy, launched on International Men’s Day, represents a pivotal shift from neglect to action. As Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated:
“For too long, men’s health has been overlooked. There has been a reluctance to accept that men suffer specific inequalities and hardships.”
The strategy is built on a simple but powerful principle: meet men where they are. This isn’t about asking men to change—it’s about changing how we reach them.
The government is investing £3.6 million over three years in suicide prevention projects targeting middle-aged men in high-risk areas. There’s a groundbreaking partnership with the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative, harnessing the cultural power of football to break down stigma and embed health messaging into matchday experiences. An additional £3 million will fund innovative, community-based men’s health programmes designed to reach those least likely to engage with traditional services.
For men with prostate cancer, the strategy promises real improvements. From 2027, men will be able to order and complete PSA blood tests at home through the NHS App, making monitoring more convenient and less daunting. Workplace health pilots with companies like EDF Energy will test new approaches to supporting workers in male-dominated industries.
Crucially, the strategy includes new e-learning modules to improve healthcare professionals’ understanding of men’s health issues; recognising that we, as healthcare and social care workers, need better tools and training to serve this population effectively.
What We Can Do: Practical Steps for Healthcare and Social Care Workers
This week’s focus on men’s health is about asking ourselves “what can each of us can do in our daily work to bring equality to those we care for?” Here are some practical approaches:
Create safe spaces for conversation. Men often communicate differently, preferring side-by-side activities over face-to-face discussions. Use routine appointments for physical health checks as opportunities to gently explore mental wellbeing.
Challenge your own assumptions. When a male patient or service user seems dismissive of symptoms or reluctant to engage, recognise this as a barrier rooted in social conditioning, not lack of interest in their health.
Make services accessible. Consider offering extended hours or quick-access appointments. Many men struggle to attend during standard working hours, particularly in manual labour or shift-based roles.
Use plain language. Health literacy around mental and sexual health is often lower among men. Avoid jargon and create an environment where questions are welcomed, not assumed.
Look beyond the individual. Remember that deprivation amplifies every risk factor. A man in a deprived area faces not just health challenges but also the stress of financial insecurity, inadequate housing, and limited opportunities.
Be proactive about mental health. Don’t wait for men to raise concerns. Normalise conversations about stress, sleep, and emotional wellbeing as part of routine care.
Connect to community resources. Familiarise yourself with local men’s health programmes, peer support groups, and charities like Men’s Minds Matter and Tough To Talk that offer male-friendly environments.
Moving Forward Together
The launch of this strategy is the starting blocks. As Movember’s CEO Michelle Terry noted,
“We now need rapid progress and delivery of the action plan to ensure this strategy creates real, measurable change.”
Every interaction we have as healthcare and social care professionals is an opportunity to challenge the stigma, bridge the gaps, and potentially save a life. When we create environments where men feel safe to be vulnerable, when we actively reach out rather than waiting for them to come to us, and when we recognise that true healthcare equality means tailoring our approach to different needs, that’s when we’ll see the change this strategy envisions.
The ripple effects of one man seeking help, one conversation breaking the silence, one life saved—they extend far beyond the individual. Research shows that each suicide can deeply affect dozens of family members, friends, and community members. By focusing on men’s health this week and every week, we’re strengthening families, workplaces, and entire communities.
Join Us in Making a Difference
At SNG, we’re committed to supporting healthcare and social care professionals who are passionate about delivering equitable, compassionate care to all. Whether you’re looking for a new role where you can make a real difference, or you’re looking to expand your team with dedicated professionals who share these values, we’d love to hear from you.
Visit our contact page to get in touch with our team and explore how we can support your healthcare or social care career journey.
References
- Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. (2024). Men’s Health. POST-PB-0056.
- Department of Health and Social Care. (2025). Men’s health: a strategic vision for England.
- Department of Health and Social Care. (2025). Men’s health: a strategic vision for England – equality impact assessment.
- House of Commons Library. (2024). Suicide statistics.
- Office for National Statistics. (2023). Suicides in England and Wales: 2023 registrations.
- Department of Health and Social Care. (2025). Men’s Health Strategy for England: call for evidence – summary report.
- Office for National Statistics. (2016). National life tables, UK: 2014 to 2016.
- Ali, M. (2022). Preventing Male Mental Illness in Post-war Britain. In Tackling Cause and Effect (pp. 39-60). Palgrave Macmillan.
- Shining a Light on Suicide. (n.d.). Danny’s story.
- Pitman, A., et al. (2024). Impact on families after male suicide UK. Frontiers in Public Health, 12.
- Franciscan Health. (2024). Understanding The Link Between Prostate Cancer And Heart Disease.
- Department of Health and Social Care. (2025). Government unveils England’s first ever Men’s Health Strategy. Press release.
- Premier League. (2024). Premier League launches Together Against Suicide initiative to support fans.
- Men’s Minds Matter. (n.d.). Men’s Suicide Prevention & Mental Health.
- Tough To Talk. (n.d.). Leading Men’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Charity in the UK.
