MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
Across the UK and the world, our fathers, partners, brothers, and friends are facing a mental health crisis, but it’s not talked about enough. We are losing people too young and too soon. Working with Movember and other mental health charities, as well as colleagues in Westminster, I want to be part of the conversation as we fight for change.
What am I doing on men's mental health?
As someone who has personally lost a good friend to suicide, this subject is close to my heart. That's why, alongside chairing the APPG for Male Suicide and Mental Health and being part of the Mental Health Bill Committee, I've been doing some other localised and national work to raise awareness and fight for change.
In November 2025, I took part in Movember, working closely with the charity to fundraise and campaign, followed by the very first "Walk & Talk" initiative held on Blue Monday in January 2026 alongside the brilliant Andy's Man Club. Since then, I've been proud to help launch the Labour Group for Men & Boys to shine a spotlight on what needs to be done to help around this issue.
Advocating
I've met with Movember, and other mental health charities such as Andy's Man Club, to show my support and offer my help in any way I can.
Spotlighting
Working with local charities, raising the profile and topics online and in Parliament, and keeping the conversation going raises awareness.
Participating
2025 saw me grow my very first moustache, who I have affectionately called "Bob". I've since also held our first "Walk & Talk" for Blue Monday!
November 2025 Update
Introducing... Bob!
For Movember 2025, I grew my first ever (yes, really!) moustache as part of my campaigning around improving men's mental health services. I called it "Bob", and I was so pleased to have raised over £600 for Movember - and also quite pleased to shave Bob away on 1st December!
January 2026 Update
Walk & Talk
Ahead of Blue Monday, on 18 January I held my first Walk and Talk focussing on supporting men's mental health.
With 3 out of every 4 suicides being men, we need to do more to drive better mental health outcomes.
A huge thank you to Andy's Man Club and Essex Police for supporting, as well as to all those who popped down to come for a 4.5km walk with us through Belfairs Woods.
February 2026 Update
Labour Group for Men & Boys
The challenges men and boys face in our modern world can be significant. From poor health and mental health outcomes, to being influenced by bad faith actors such as Andrew Tate, work must be done to improve this situation.
That's why my colleagues and I have launched the Labour Group for Men and Boys focussing on creating a positive vision of masculinity that strengthens our commitment to gender equality, not undermining it.
March 2026 Update
Charities Roundtable
It was an honour to chair a roundtable in Parliament in March, focussed on how the Men's Health Strategy can address male mental health and suicide.
It was especially great to be joined by Movember, Andy's Man Club, and the Samaritans who shared valuable insights - and of course to be joined by parliamentary colleagues like Kim Leadbeater MP and Kevin McKenna MP.
Mental health is so important to me. Let me know your views on mental health services.
I want to hear from you to find out your thoughts on mental health services and how they can be improved.
If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, both NHS 111 option 2 can be used in a mental health crisis, or Samaritans on 116123 (if you need someone to talk to).
If there is any immediate risk of harm, please do contact 999. All the support services are here and ready to help you, so please do reach out to them if you need.