MALE suicide rates in England and Wales remained largely unchanged in 2024, as public health experts and advocacy groups continue to examine how loneliness, social expectations and online influences may shape men’s mental health and help-seeking behaviours.1
Suicide is associated with a range of psychological, social and economic factors. According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 11.4 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people in England and Wales in 2024, compared to 11.3 per 100,000 in 2023.1
Among males, the suicide rate was 17.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2024, compared with 17.4 in 2023, while the female rate remained unchanged at 5.7 deaths per 100,000 people across both years.1 The highest age-specific suicide rate among men was recorded in those aged 50-54 years.1
Loneliness and Emotional Isolation in Men
Loneliness has increasingly been discussed as a public health concern, particularly in the context of mental health outcomes and barriers to seeking support, with evidence suggesting men may be less likely to report emotional difficulties or seek support because of cultural stigma surrounding male mental health.2
A 2021 study involving 46,054 participants found adolescent and adult males reported higher levels of loneliness than females.2 Loneliness and social isolation have been identified as risk factors for suicide, alongside evidence that men may be less likely to disclose emotional difficulties or seek help.2
Overall, while both sexes often report similar rates of loneliness, men may be less likely to discuss these experiences because of longstanding social expectations around masculinity.2
Suggested approaches to reducing isolation included strengthening community connections, engaging in meaningful activities, practising openness with trusted individuals and accessing professional support where needed.2
Cumberland Report Calls for Earlier Intervention
Cumberland Council’s annual public health report examined wider factors that may shape men’s health outcomes, including poverty, education, employment pressures and social expectations around masculinity.3 The report stated suicide rates in Cumberland between 2022 and 2024 were among the highest in England.3
The report highlighted that expectations linked to masculinity, including emotional silence and control, may discourage men from seeking support until problems escalate.3
It also identified suicide as a key contributor to inequality in male life expectancy.3
Online Communities Draw Increasing Attention to Issue
UN Women has also highlighted concerns around the “manosphere”, a network of online communities centred on narrow definitions of masculinity and opposition to feminism.4
According to the organisation, two-thirds of young men regularly engage with masculinity influencers online.4 Some of these communities promote emotional control, dominance and material success as markers of male identity, with evidence suggesting that young men experiencing isolation may be more likely to engage with this content.4
Taken together, the findings and reports highlight a complex picture in which suicide rates among men in England and Wales have remained broadly stable, while wider discussions continue around how loneliness, social expectations and changing digital environments may influence men’s mental health and patterns of help-seeking.
References
- Office for National Statistics. Suicides in England and Wales: 1981 to 2024. 2025. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2024registrations. Last accessed: 21 May 2026.
- Male loneliness epidemic: research, myths and coping strategies. 2026. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/male-loneliness-epidemic. Last accessed: 21 May 2026.
- BBC Cumbria. ‘Serious concerns’ over men’s health and suicide. 2026. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgpn918zeeo. Last accessed: 21 May 2026.
- UN Women. What is the manosphere and why should we care? 2025. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/explainer/what-is-the-manosphere-and-why-should-we-care. Last accessed: 21 May 2026.
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