The Hidden Crisis: Alarming Suicide Rates Amongst Men

Content Warning: This blog piece discusses topics related to suicide and mental health, which may be distressing for some readers.

Understanding the Impact of Suicide on Men in the UK

Suicide is a profound issue that deeply impacts our communities and society. It disproportionately affects men around the world, and the statistics are particularly alarming in the UK - here, suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50. In 2022, a staggering 76% of recorded suicides in England and Wales were men, meaning men are nearly three times more likely to die by suicide.

Insight into Key Factors Contributing to Risk 

• Ethnicity: men identifying as Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups, and White have the highest rates of suicide compared to other ethnic groups

• Socioeconomic Factors: men living in deprived areas face a 2.7x higher risk of death by suicide compared to those in the least deprived areas. This disparity is most pronounced among men aged between 21 years and retirement.

• Disability: men with disabilities are at a 3x higher risk of suicide compared to men without disabilities

• Relationship Status: men who are single, separated, or widowed have higher suicide rates than those in partnerships

  
  

This paints a complex picture, highlighting the interplay of various sociodemographic factors that increase the risk of suicide among men in the UK. 

Masculinity and Suicide Risk: Understanding Masculine Ideals 

Evidently, male suicide rates are alarming, with research increasingly highlighting this disparity and exploring potential risk factors. A recent study by Eggenberger et al. reveals that men who adhere strongly to traditional masculine ideologies are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to those with more egalitarian views. In other words, men who maintain more balanced attitudes are at a lower risk of suicide. Additionally, men are far less likely to discuss suicidal ideation, and transition from ideation to attempts at a far higher rate than women. This poses the question: why?

Conforming to masculine norms (CMN) is thought to be internalised through socialisation at an early age, with non-conformity looked down upon more in boys than girls. These norms, deeply rooted in patriarchal frameworks, prescribe how men should behave and what characteristics they should embody - placing an emphasis on emotional suppression, independence and risk-taking. While these ideals may seem empowering on a surface-level, they can have detrimental effects on mental health and often discourage men from seeking help or expressing vulnerability. This in turn can exacerbate feelings of isolation, and increases the risk of suicide. 

The Stoic Risk

The study by Eggenberger sampled 488 cisgender male participants and investigated their CMN, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, behaviours and belief systems, and  social desirability. Overall, they identified three groups of men: Egalitarians, Players, and Stoics. Egalitarians were characterised as having an overall low CMN, whilst players had a high CMN on dimensions related to men having power (particularly over women), sexual promiscuity, and appearing heterosexual. The final group, Stoic men, was characterised as having a strong CMN on the dimensions relating to emotional control, self-reliance, and risk-taking. Stoic men are seen as “strong” and “invulnerable”, and are more likely to avoid or mask traditional depressive symptoms. Instead, they may externalise symptoms and present with aggression, substance abuse, or physical symptoms. This poses an increased risk and transition from ideology to attempt, and can lead to underdiagnosis, in turn leading to delayed or inadequate treatment, and further exacerbating the risk of suicide. 

Society’s Influence

Societal attitudes towards masculinity, including the new wave of the manosphere, promote ideals that inhibit help-seeking behaviours. Initially stemming from the Men’s Liberation movement, and centred on issues faced by men and masculinity, the manosphere has grown into a network of social media communities, blogs, websites and forums. This has developed into a network that promotes misogyny, opposition to feminism and harmful ideologies that take advantage of vulnerable males. 

The manosphere often promotes hyper-masculine ideals that discourage vulnerability and emotional expression, making it difficult for men to acknowledge their mental health struggles and seek the necessary support. Additionally, white working-class men often face unique barriers. Despite being told they are privileged due to their race and gender, many come from backgrounds of poverty and economic hardship, which contradicts the notion of privilege. This disconnect can lead to feelings of resentment and further influence from the manosphere, which promises a return to traditional power structures. The stress caused from identity struggles and feelings of isolation, confounded with influence that discourages emotional openness puts those vulnerable at risk, and acts as an additional challenge men face in seeking help. 

What can we do?

Numerous studies have suggested depression in men can present in differing ways from how we classically diagnose the condition. As stated, they are more prone to expressing negative feelings in the form of aggression, risky behaviours, or even somatic problems such as pain. This is a widespread problem that affects how we diagnose many disorders, such as ADHD and autism, stemming from gender bias in research and the lack of inclusivity. Changing the way we conduct research for both sexes, create diagnostic criteria and treat conditions in a more tailored approach would prove fundamental to reducing these issues. 

The way we tackle traditional masculine norms as a society will also prove critical. Promoting healthy masculinity involves encouraging men to embrace traits such as emotional vulnerability and challenge harmful stereotypes that equate masculinity with dominance and suppression of emotions. Research shows that fostering positive masculinity can significantly improve men’s mental health and overall well-being.

"Men who adhere strongly to traditional masculine ideologies are more than 2x as likely to attempt suicide compared to those with more egalitarian views"

Additionally, male-tailored interventions, such as support groups like the Andy Man’s Club who aim to “end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation” have been effective in addressing men’s mental health issues. The creation of spaces where men feel safe in voicing their concerns, discussing their emotions and providing support, can lead to validation and feelings of being heard. This can also take on the form of reaching out to friends and family, or implementing these spaces in the workplace. By actively listening when men voice their emotions, we can make a big difference and challenge any stigma, which can prove vital in encouraging men to seek help. 

As recently demonstrated in the media, there’s already been an increase in the promotion of healthy masculinity by those with high influence, and a consequential positive effect. For example, Jamie Laing, a British TV personality, presenter, and entrepreneur, demonstrated vulnerability and openness, highlighting his mental health during his recent completion of 5 ultramarathons. Hidden Strength UK, a mental health platform offering free advice, support and therapy for individuals aged 13 to 24, credited Jamie with motivating a significant increase in app usage among young people, especially boys. Critical discussions have also arisen from the BBC’s annual Dimbleby lecture, and Netflix’s release of Adolescence. Having these discussions that challenge traditional norms, and promote healthy masculinity across men of all representations, proves a strong first step in intervening in these risks posed. 

Final Thoughts

Addressing traditional masculine norms is essential in suicide prevention efforts. By supporting and promoting mental health initiatives tailored for men, we can reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviours. Resources such as Samaritans and Andy’s Man Club also provide valuable support for men struggling with mental health issues. Finally, a change in how we view, diagnose and treat depression in men will be paramount, and promoting role models with healthy masculinity should be encouraged. 

Resources

If you or someone you know have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this article, please reach out for support. Resources such as Samaritans (available 24/7 at 116 123) and Andy’s Man Club provide valuable help for men struggling with mental health issues. Additionally, Mind offers comprehensive mental health support and can be contacted at 0300 123 3393. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and there are people ready to listen and support you. 

1. Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2023. Suicides in England and Wales: 2022 registrations.

2. Eggenberger, L., Spangenberg, L., Genuchi, M.C. & Walther, A., 2024. Men's suicidal thoughts and behaviors and conformity to masculine norms: A person-centered, latent profile approach. Heliyon, 10(20).

3. Vandello, J.A. & Bosson, J.K., 2013. Hard won and easily lost: A review and synthesis of theory and research on precarious manhood. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 14(2), p.101.

4. Rudman, L.A. & Fairchild, K., 2004. Reactions to counterstereotypic behavior: The role of backlash in cultural stereotype maintenance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87(2), p.157.

5. Ogrodniczuk, J.S. & Oliffe, J.L., 2011. Men and depression. Canadian Family Physician, 57(2), pp.153–155.

6. Griffin, L., Hosking, W., Gill, P.R., Shearson, K., Ivey, G. & Sharples, J., 2022. The gender paradox: Understanding the role of masculinity in suicidal ideation. American Journal of Men’s Health, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883221123853..

7. Cambridge Dictionary, n.d. Manosphere. Cambridge English Dictionary. Available at: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/manosphere [Accessed 23 Apr. 2025].

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This article was written by Amy Boyack and edited by Julia Dabrowska, with graphics produced by Suzana Sultan. If you enjoyed this article, be the first to be notified about new posts by signing up to become a WiNUK member (top right of this page)! Interested in writing for WiNUK yourself? Contact us through the blog page and the editors will be in touch.