Today, on International Men’s Day, the Labour government has published England’s first ever Men’s Health Strategy, a wide-ranging plan to tackle the physical and mental health challenges faced by men and boys. Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, has strongly welcomed the announcement, calling it an “important step” toward addressing the issues raised by local groups and campaigners across Teesside.
The strategy aims to reduce inequalities, break down stigma, and improve outcomes in areas where men are disproportionately affected, including suicide, cancer, addiction and cardiovascular disease. It includes new investment in suicide prevention projects, community based men’s health programmes and better support for those living with prostate cancer. It also creates a major partnership with the Premier League and Samaritans through the Together Against Suicide initiative, which embeds mental health support into football stadiums and matchday experiences.
Luke has long championed men’s mental health in the region. Since being elected, he has met with local representatives of groups such as Men’s Shed, Andy’s Man Club and the North East Young Dads & Lads Project to listen to the pressures many men face in day-to-day life. He has spoken publicly about the need to challenge social isolation, support fathers and create community spaces where men feel able to speak openly.
His work on veteran mental health has also shaped his response to the new strategy. Luke raised the case of local veteran Sam Morgan in Parliament and successfully brought the Veterans Minister to Guisborough, a visit that helped inspire the creation of Morgan House, a new support and respite centre for veterans. For Luke, these experiences underline how urgent the challenge is and how meaningful change can come when government works alongside communities.
The new strategy includes several measures with particular relevance to Teesside and East Cleveland. For former mineworkers, there will be strengthened support for respiratory conditions through additional investment in the Respiratory Pathways Transformation Fund. There will also be new research programmes targeting cancers, heart disease and addiction, as well as pilots supporting workplace health in male dominated industries.
Luke said that the strategy recognises what local groups and families have been saying for years: that too many men feel unable to ask for help, too many face preventable illnesses and too many struggle alone. He believes the government’s plan is a long overdue acknowledgement that men’s health requires dedicated action and sustained investment.
He added that the success of this strategy will depend not only on national policy but on continued partnership with organisations already doing vital work on the ground. For Luke, Teesside’s community groups have shown what is possible and he intends to keep supporting their efforts as the strategy moves into implementation.