A shocking new report from the London Assembly has revealed that men in the capital are self-harming and taking their own lives due to damaging perceptions of masculinity and a lack of targeted support.
The 'Big Boys Don't Cry' Problem
The London Assembly Health Committee's report, entitled 'Big Boys Don't Cry', found that entrenched gender norms and perceptions of masculinity are preventing men from seeking help for mental health issues. The cross-party committee discovered that males in London often struggle to recognise crucial signs of poor mental health, leading to excessive alcohol and drug use as coping mechanisms.
Emma Best, who chairs the committee, stated: "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."
Alarming Statistics and Social Media Impact
The report revealed that 409 male suicides occurred in London during 2023, despite the capital having the lowest suicide rate in the country. Other concerning trends include increases in suicidal thoughts, attempts and self-harm among males in London over the past decade.
Committee members expressed particular concern about the role of social media influencers in promoting toxic masculinity models. 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."
According to Movember's 2024 research, 61% of 16-25 year old men in the UK actively engage with "men and masculinity content" online, making this issue particularly relevant to London's younger population.
Calls for Targeted Intervention
The committee has called on the Mayor of London to fund more mental health programmes specifically targeted at men and to display mental health crisis support information across the Transport for London network. Those who do seek help currently face a "postcode lottery" due to inconsistent provision across different boroughs.
The report identified that LGBTQ+ men and those from minority ethnic backgrounds face higher risks of developing mental health problems. The high cost of living in London was also cited as a primary factor affecting mental wellbeing.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London responded: "It is a tragedy that suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50... We will consider the Assembly's report and respond in due course."
The report was launched on November 19, coinciding with the Government's own first Men's Health Strategy which aims to tackle similar issues, including embedding health messaging into sporting events.
