Men in London are not accessing mental health support and leaving themselves vulnerable to crisis due to stigma, a City Hall report has found.
By Kumail Jaffer, Local Democracy Reporter
Men in London are not accessing mental health support and leaving themselves vulnerable to crisis due to stigma, a City Hall report has found.
Males in the capital are more likely to have “poor mental health literacy” and struggle to recognise crucial signs, according to the London Assembly Health Committee. Their report, entitled ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry’, said “entrenched gender norms and perceptions of masculinity” have discouraged men in London from expressing vulnerability and often lead to excessive alcohol and drug use as coping mechanisms.
Those who do seek support face a “postcode lottery” due to “a lack of joined-up care and an inconsistency of provision” across the city.
The cross-party committee called on the Mayor of London, who has no direct powers over the delivery of services, to fund more mental health programmes targeted specifically at men and signpost mental health crisis support across the TfL network.
Emma Best, who chairs the London Assembly Health Committee, said: “Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50; 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.
“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.”
The report, launched in City Hall on Wednesday morning (November 19), found that those who identify as LGBTQ+ and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are at higher risk of developing mental health problems. The high cost of living in London was also cited as a primary factor in poor mental health.
The committee said they were also concerned about the increasing role of social media in the lives of young, male Londoners.
“We are concerned about men, particularly younger men, in London becoming increasingly exposed to social media influencers who promote toxic models of masculinity,” they wrote.
In previous committee sessions, Dr David Palmer noted that men’s mental health stigma is “heightened by the hyper-masculinity discourse of Andrew Tate and others through social media”.
The charity Black Thrive Lambeth argued that “social media plays a role in reinforcing unrealistic or harmful ideals of masculinity, which can lead to increased self-doubt, emotional suppression, and a reluctance to seek help”.
The issue is particularly relevant in London due to its younger population, according to Amy O’Connor of Movember. A 2024 report by the charity found that 61 per cent of 16-25 year old men in the UK are actively engaging with “men and masculinity content” online.
There were 409 male suicides in London in 2023 despite the capital having the lowest suicide rate in the country. The committee found that the issue disproportionately affects men, despite an overall long-term decline in the rate. Other concerning statistics cited in the report include an increase in suicidal thoughts, attempts and self-harm in the last decade among males in London.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “It is a tragedy that suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50, and is truly devastating for the loved ones who are left behind.
“As a society we must continue to challenge stereotypes and encourage men to talk about their feelings, as well as providing the support that they need.
“That’s why the Mayor has taken a range of actions to help Londoners, including funding ThriveLDN, supporting the #ZeroSuicideLDN campaign and broader efforts to address the underlying causes of poor mental health – from tackling poverty and housing inequality to supporting adult education and work quality. We will consider the Assembly’s report and respond in due course.”
The report came on the same day that the Department for Health and Social Care launched their own first Men’s Health Strategy. The plan aims to address problems also cited in the London Assembly report, including moves to “tackle the stigma around men’s mental health and embed health messaging into the matchday experience”.
Where to get help if you’re struggling
You don’t have to suffer in silence if you’re struggling with your mental health. Here are some groups you can contact when you need help.
Samaritans: Phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email [email protected] in confidence
Childline: Phone 0800 1111. Calls are free and won’t show up on your bill
PAPYRUS: For teens and young adults. Phone 0800 068 4141
Depression Alliance: The charity offers useful resources for people struggling.
Students Against Depression: For students who are depressed, have low mood, or are suicidal.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): Phone 0800 58 58 58. For young men who are feeling unhappy.
James’ Place: Offering life-saving treatment to suicidal men in London and surrounding area.
For information on your local NHS urgent mental health helpline, visit here
