Last week, I submitted a formal submission to the Department for Health and Social Care consultation, calling for urgent support to tackle the growing crisis in men’s mental health across Rotherham.

Between 2021 and 2023, the male suicide rate in Rotherham stood at 17.3 per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 16.4. According to data gathered between 2019 and 2025, the majority of deaths occurred in areas experiencing the most acute levels of deprivation, where residents are more likely to face long-term health conditions, job insecurity and social isolation.

The report commends the proactive steps already being taken by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) and the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, including the development of a borough-wide mental health strategy shaped through public consultation.

However, the submission warns that the future of this work is at risk without long-term support from central government.

The future of this work depends heavily on the availability of national funding and continued investment will allow local partners to grow preventative and crisis services, train more people in suicide prevention, and support those who have lost loved ones.

The submission also recognises the vital work that charitable organisations do across Rotherham and the surrounding areas, in particular Andy’s Man Club and Rotherham Safe Space. These initiatives provide non-clinical support and their upkeep is essential as we move towards the reduction of deaths by suicide.

I am calling on the Government to recognise the scale of the issue and provide long-term, ringfenced investment to support local suicide prevention strategies across South Yorkshire and the country.