Trapped in silence: shedding light on male suicide

Film still: model, Liam with added purple and teal highlights, symbolising hope and the hidden pressures young men face.

Emily Kelly and Bethan Palmer explore the biggest killer of young men

Tragically, suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 45 in England and Wales. According to the Office for National Statistics, 3 in 4 suicides are by men. This is a stark reminder of how many are suffering in silence.

The 2025 theme for World Suicide Prevention Month, September, is changing the narrative on suicide. It is encouraging open conversations, and a reminder that reducing stigma and making sure people feel able to seek help are key to saving lives. Part of this shift means confronting the pressures men face around identity and masculinity.

One factor is toxic hyper masculinity, the belief that to be male you must reject all aspects of femininity. This often appears as the messages, ‘don’t cry’, ‘man up’, and ‘stay strong’. This expectation can lead to the repression of ‘softer’ emotions. Crying, for example, is treated as weakness. Instead, emotions are often replaced with anger or displays of sexual prowess to project dominance. Social media amplifies these pressures, pushing men to appear muscular, stoic, and physically dominant.

Repressing emotions fuels isolation and loneliness, which in turn can trigger depression. While men are diagnosed with depression less often than women, they show higher rates of unhealthy coping, such as drug or alcohol use. For some men who are feeling trapped, suicide may seem like the only way out. These patterns underline the dangers of hyper masculinity and help explain why men are less likely to seek support. Challenging myths around masculinity and suicide is therefore vital.

We must break the silence, challenge stigma, and show every young man he is not alone

There are signs of progress. Male suicide prevention charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) made a powerful statement by placing 84 male sculptures on a central London building, each representing a man who takes his own life each week in the UK. Family and friends worked with American artist Mark Jenkins to create each figure. We see projects like this as a way to raise awareness and remind people of the real human stories behind the statistics.

Other organisations, like the Movember Foundation, also work to tackle male mental health and suicide prevention. Boys in Mind provides a safe space for young men to talk and access support.

While men still represent the highest number of suicide deaths in the UK, women, trans, and non-binary people face unique and growing risks. True prevention requires addressing harmful stereotypes across all genders and ensuring mental health services are accessible and inclusive. Feminism also plays a role. While its main focus is promoting equality for women, the movement highlights issues for men too. Men are encouraged to embrace emotions seen as feminine and allow themselves to be vulnerable.

CALM has taken a key step in the battle against male suicide, and so must we. Changing the narrative means breaking the silence, challenging stigma, and making sure every young man knows he is not alone. No one should feel that staying quiet, or giving up, is their only option. Together, we can save lives.

If you or someone you know needs support, don’t wait, reach out today:

• CALM: (Campaign For Living Miserably)
• Samaritans: call 116 123
• Shout text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258

You can watch Bethan and Emily’s film: Shedding Light on male suicide here ↓

And Exposure’s powerful short film addressing male suicide and promoting CALM here ↓