The UK government has marked International Men's Day with the launch of a comprehensive new strategy aimed at tackling the specific health challenges faced by men.
Announced on Wednesday 19th November 2025, the strategy directly confronts the fact that men are less likely to seek help for physical and mental health issues and are more likely to engage in risky behaviours like smoking, excessive drinking, gambling, and drug use.
A Turning Point for Men's Wellbeing
Health Secretary Wes Streeting declared that men's health has been 'overlooked' for too long, stating that this new plan represents a 'turning point'. He emphasised the need to acknowledge the unique difficulties men face, saying, 'The fact is life can be really difficult for men in today's society.'
The strategy has been developed with the support of the Premier League, leveraging the cultural power of football to reach men in their communities.
Key Funding and Initiatives
The government has committed significant funding to several critical areas. A central pillar is a £3.6 million investment over three years into suicide prevention projects targeted at middle-aged men in high-risk communities.
This is a vital intervention, as suicide is one of the biggest killers of men under 50, accounting for three-quarters of all suicides.
Other major financial commitments include:
- £200,000 for a trial to warn men about the dangers of mixing cocaine and alcohol, a combination that increases the risk of immediate death by 18 to 25 times.
- Funding for a new voluntary sector grant to help prevent gambling addiction, which disproportionately affects men aged 25 to 34.
- £3 million for community-based men's health schemes.
Broader Health Measures and Support
Beyond addiction and mental health, the strategy outlines a suite of measures designed to improve men's physical health and access to services.
These include providing at-home blood test kits for men with prostate cancer, creating new learning resources for NHS staff, and offering support for former miners suffering from conditions like asthma.
The government will also partner with the Premier League's 'Together Against Suicide' initiative, which works with the Samaritans to offer support to men on match days.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters stated that football 'has the power to break down stigma and connect fans with support that can make a real difference.'
The announcement was welcomed by the charity Movember, with its CEO, Michelle Terry, calling it a 'historic day for men's health in the UK' and urging rapid progress to ensure real, measurable change.
