Let’s Talk About Men’s Mental Health

It’s Men’s Health Week, and while physical health often grabs the headlines, it’s mental health that’s quietly costing too many men their lives.

Here in the UK, suicide remains the single biggest killer of men under 50. That’s not just a shocking statistic - it’s a heartbreak repeated in families, friend groups, and communities every single day.

The Numbers We Can’t Ignore

• Three in every four suicides in the UK are by men.

• On average, 13 men die by suicide every day.

• Rates are significantly higher for men in marginalised groups – including LGBTQ+ men and those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

These aren’t just numbers. They’re fathers, brothers, sons, mates, partners, and colleagues. People who were loved. People who mattered. People who felt they couldn’t speak up or reach out.

Why Are So Many Men Struggling?

We still live in a culture where men are often told, directly or indirectly, that showing emotion is weakness. That struggling is something to hide. That vulnerability is unmanly.

This messaging starts young and digs deep. It’s why so many men carry their pain quietly. Why “I’m fine” can mean anything but. Why connection - the thing that could save someone - can feel impossibly out of reach.

And yet, we know that talking helps. Reaching out helps. Connection does save lives.

What Can We Do?

We can start by listening. Properly. By letting the men in our lives know that they don’t have to be “strong” to be loved. That being human is enough. That they’re allowed to struggle, and they’re allowed to talk about it.

We can also choose to challenge the outdated ideas that keep men silent. To check in more often. To ask twice. To notice. To be gentle.

Here at LoveLossDiscoballs, we believe in making space for all of life - not just the shiny, edited parts. Our cards and messages are designed to open up those honest conversations and offer support that feels real, specific, and needed.

Because men’s mental health isn’t just a men’s issue - it’s a human one. And it’s time we all paid attention.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t stay silent. You can contact CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) on 0800 58 58 58 or Samaritans on 116 123 — both are free, confidential, and open 24/7.