Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the high rates of premature mortality in men due to mental health issues.

It is vital that we put more emphasis on early intervention and recovery to support men and boys experiencing poor mental health to live well and thrive. We will fulfil our commitments to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers by the end of the Parliament, to help cut waiting times and to expand mental health support teams to cover all schools in England by 2029/30. We will also continue the expansion of NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support schemes so more men can access the support they need.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. We are transforming mental health services into neighbourhood mental health centres that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, improving assertive outreach and increasing access to evidence based digital interventions. Men will also get better access to mental health support and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week directly through the NHS App, including self-referral for talking therapies, without needing a general practice appointment.

We have also committed to tackling suicide, as one of the biggest killers, through the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. This identifies middle-aged men as one of several groups for tailored or targeted action at a national level.

We are developing a Men's Health Strategy which will seek to improve the health and wellbeing of all men in England and will be informed by a call for evidence. This includes finding the right ways to promote healthier behaviours, improving outcomes for health conditions that hit men harder, and improving their engagement with healthcare services.