A leading mental health campaigner, who experienced bone-crushing anxiety and deep dark depression, has said the ‘stunning silence’ across the mainstream media at the launch of the first-ever UK Men’s Health Strategy shows how much work there is to do.
The government has today (19/11/25), on International Men’s Day 2025, launched a plan to tackle physical and mental health challenges faced by men and boys and reduce inequalities as part of its Men’s Health Strategy.
“The latest research from MIND shows that 1 in 3 people report a deterioration in their mental health while waiting for an appointment with their GP,” said Ashley Riley, who two years ago, as an outgoing, comfortable, loud, business-owning, confident man, started suffering from a low mood and had a brief panic attack. Within a month it turned into life-stopping anxiety and deep, dark depression. “The latest research also shows us that 75% of all suicides in the U.K. are men.”
“Today the Government has published an ambitious plan to tackle those mental health challenges as well as improve physical health and reduce inequalities, and yet across the mainstream media there is a stunning silence.” Ashley continued.
“Instead of the start of a desperately needed conversation, the response has been to end the conversation.”
“We know that poor mental health is destroying men, their lives, their families, their jobs and their communities,” he said. “Even more concerning is that a recent report from MIND found that in 2025 the situation is getting worse.”
This morning, Ashley (Wednesday) spoke to leading businesses in the East Midlands, where he shared his mental health experience.
He has shared his story on national television over the past twelve months and explained that when three different medications didn’t help his anxiety or depression, his GP asked him ‘what else do you want me to do?” During a full panic attack in his GP’s surgery, Ashley was shouted at and told to ‘calm down.’
“We know that poor mental health is destroying men, their lives, their families, their jobs and their communities,” he said.
The Landmark strategy published on International Men’s Day by the Government aims to tackle men’s mental health challenges, improve physical health and reduce inequalities so men and boys get on and live longer, healthier lives
It sets out that men face a range of barriers in accessing healthcare services, such as stigma and services that are not responsive to men’s needs.
This strategy puts men’s health front and centre, addressing the challenges men face and designing solutions with men, for men.
“The government’s strategy is a very welcome plan, and while it’s only the start of a much-needed conversation, it’s so frustrating that its publication has received at best a ‘mention’ in the media,” Ashley continued. “Male mental health is in crisis. It is destroying men, their relationships, their families, their businesses, and their communities.”
“It is not acceptable and not good enough that a plan that challenges the cultural and stereotypical definition of being a man – physically and emotionally invincible – is being virtually ignored.”
“Unless there is a rapid change in the hearts and minds of many people of influence, including the mainstream media, then more men will suffer silently, will suffer alone, and will be driven to lives of just existing.”
