Impassioned plea for increased men's mental health funding
‘Men are struggling with suicide, isolation, addiction, homelessness, and relationship breakdowns, yet the very services set up to help them are constantly scrambling, living hand-to-mouth on piecemeal, short-term funding.’
This was the impassioned plea to local elected representatives for sustainable funding and a dedicated policy framework for men’s health, from Men’s Action Network service user John Burns.
In a widely viewed and shared social media post this week, Mr Burns described communities as being under “massive pressure” when “Just across the border, there is a dedicated policy framework for men’s health” yet “here, we are still waiting for proper investment in services tailored to what men actually need”.
Men’s Action Network is a Derry-based charity founded in 1994 to support the health and well-being of men in the North West.
The group was forced to close its Patrick Street premises in August 2024 due to a lack of funding. It resumed in-person support services at the Leafair Wellbeing Centre in October 2025, before re-opening a city-centre office in Shipquay Street in May 2026.
Speaking to The Derry News about his post, Mr Burns, who was involved with Men’s Action Network when it was established, said, at the time, he had been happy to attend the men’s event in Stormont in November 2025.
‘The Invisible Man: Men’s Health - Look at the State of it’ was facilitated by the Western Health and Social Care Trust’s staff wellbeing team.
“At the time, seeing politicians turn up, listen and stand with us meant a huge amount. I genuinely appreciated every single representative who took the time to show support,” said Mr Burns.
“But looking at where things are right now, I have to ask: ‘Where is that support today?’ he added.
“Supporting men’s mental health cannot be just something that happens when there is a photo opportunity or a ribbon cut. It has to be an active, year round commitment.
“Men’s Action network changes lives. It is as simple as that. It gives men a safe door to walk through, a friendly ear, and a space where they will not be judged. For so many who would have otherwise suffered in silence, it has been a literal lifeline.
“I wrote the post, not to throw accusations at anyone. I did it because I know elected representatives can do better. I am asking them not to just turn up for events but to help us build the services men need instead.
“I am challenging them not just to stand for a photograph when they could be fighting to secure long-term funding. I am imploring them not to tell us men’s mental health matters, without making it a real political priority. The men using these services, their families, and our whole community deserve more than warm words,” said Mr Burns.
“I would say to our local elected representatives, if they have ever spoken publicly about men’s health or supported Men’s Action Network in the past, please take the next step. Sit down with the grassroots organisations who are on the ground, hear what they actually need, and push for a real men’s health strategy. We should not have to wait for another service to close, he added. “I hope they will listen, get involved, and help us deliver real change.”
Speaking about his personal experience of Men’s Action Network, Mr Burns said he had been “part of the group for a long time after becoming quite unwell around 2012 - 2013”.
He added: “I’ve also done creative projects with men in the past, using theatre as a vehicle for expression, so I am very aware of what men are going through in terms of mental health.
“It has been an issue here for years - suicide. It doesn’t really seem to be slowing down. In the whole UK, somewhere between 5,500 and 6.500 men die by suicide every year. In the last five years that is 30,000 men. That is a huge number of men.
Having groups like Men’s Action network in the city is a very positive thing because it is a safe space where men can go and talk, open up.
Men’s Action network changes lives. It is as simple as that. It gives men a safe door to walk through, a friendly ear, and a space where they will not be judged. For so many who would have otherwise suffered in silence, it has been a literal lifeline.
“I have been there where it gets as dark as it possibly can get, so that’s where I started working with other men, and men are talking, but they just need to talk more, and there needs to be more done. There needs to be more government funding and a dedicated policy framework for men’s health.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this piece, help is available from:
PIPS Suicide Prevention: Landline Direct: 028 9080 5850 or Weekend Crisis Hopeline: 0800 088 6042
Men’s Action Network: 028 7137 7777
Lifeline: Call: 0808 808 8000 or Textphone: 18001 0808 808 8000
Samaritans NI: Freephone helpline number: 116 123 and email [email protected].