Mayors unite for men’s mental health

A Yorkshire-led initiative is stepping up support for men’s mental health.

David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire has secured backing from fellow Yorkshire mayors Tracy Brabin and Oliver Coppard to support a new men’s mental health campaign across the region. 

Mayor Skaith’s £7 million Moving Forward programme includes a £715,000 Men’s Mental Health Programme alongside a public campaign called Shift Your Focus, which is aimed at encouraging practical everyday actions to support wellbeing.

The initiative also includes a workplace pilot with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and a partnership with Movember to deliver Men in Mind training, helping professionals better engage with men around mental health.

The campaign forms part of wider ambitions to build a more supportive and mentally healthy Yorkshire.

Mayor 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.” 

South Yorkshire's mayor Oliver Coppard added: “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." 

Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, 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.” 

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.