A major new drive to improve men’s mental health has been launched across York and North Yorkshire, with support also coming from other Yorkshire mayors.
The programme features a £715,000 Men’s Mental Health Programme, a new behaviour‑change campaign, and a landmark partnership with international charity Movember.
The initiative aims to tackle the stigma that often prevents men from seeking help, while providing practical tools, training and community support to improve early intervention and resilience.
A new behaviour‑change campaign, Shift Your Focus, forms a core part of the programme. The campaign highlights simple, everyday actions men can take to improve their mental wellbeing – recognising that small changes can help prevent issues from escalating.
The campaign seeks to empower men with accessible guidance and encourage more open conversations about mental health across workplaces, families and communities.
The pilot will test new approaches to supporting staff wellbeing in high‑pressure environments, with the potential for wider rollout across other organisations in the region.
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith said:
“Men are dying too young and too often. In York and North Yorkshire, we are leading the way and treating this as the emergency it is.
“By investing in our Men’s Mental Health Programme, we are helping to plug the gaps in provision and backing existing groups to go even further.
“With the support of my fellow Yorkshire Mayors, Tracy Brabin and Oliver Coppard we can start to shift the dial, so men have somewhere to turn.”
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has also partnered with global men’s health charity Movember to deliver the Men in Mind training programme.
The training is designed to help frontline workers, community organisations and professionals:
- Better understand the signs of mental distress in men
- Build confidence in starting supportive conversations
- Tailor their approach to engage effectively with men who may be reluctant to seek help
Tracy Brabin, West Yorkshire Mayor, added:
“It’s a tragedy that the biggest killer of men under 50 is suicide.
“Mayor David Skaith is showing real leadership in championing men’s mental health in York and North Yorkshire.
“By working together and backing campaigns like this, we can save lives and make it easier for men to ask for help.”
Also giving his backing to the programme, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said:
“I don’t know many men who haven’t struggled in some way with their mental health. So it couldn’t be more important we talk about it, tackle it and fundamentally change how we think about men and mental health. That’s why David Skaith’s campaign is so important; because that change will only happen when we all take responsibility, and David is leading the charge.”
By equipping more professionals with these skills, the programme aims to expand the region’s capacity to support men before crisis point is reached.
Together, the initiatives aim to create a more supportive environment for men across York and North Yorkshire, ensuring they have the tools, confidence and services needed to look after their mental wellbeing.
Image credit: iStock
