Men’s Mental Health Investment Programme

Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50, and although one in five men are diagnosed with depression or anxiety, the actual figure is likely much higher.

Poor mental health is a major cause of sickness leave, impacting personal wellbeing and the region’s economy.

By investing in the mental health of men and masculine-identifying people, we can reduce the demand in care services, improve sickness leave rates and support resilient local economies. When men are mentally well, families are stronger, children do better, and communities become more connected. 

The fund has been designed in response to the findings of  the rapid mapping exercise completed by Rocket Science UK Ltd, read the final report here.

The Men’s Mental Health Investment Programme provides funding to help increase active participation of men and masculine-identifying people in activities that help improve their mental health. This can be in the community, workplace or service settings.

We are keen to support projects that:

• Promote approaches that focus on men’s strengths and abilities to improve wellbeing
• Tackle stigma through male friendly engagement
• Reach diverse or hard to reach audiences (particularly. rural areas, neurodivergent young people, gay men, trans men, gender-diverse people, men from ethically diverse backgrounds, men affected by trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and those in the justice system)
• Support men in the workplace for their mental health (enhancing workplace return/retention)
• Enhance digital presence and services in mental health
• Support individual behaviour change outcomes and structural shifts

We would still encourage other relevant projects to apply. The projects do not need to be explicit mental health activities, they can be projects that indirectly promote good mental fitness.

Individual or collaborative applications are welcome from the following:

• VCSE organisations including charities, social enterprises, community interest companies, community groups
• Parish Councils
• Businesses (SMEs under 250 employees)
• Educational institutions

The minimum value available is £3,000 and the maximum value available is £30,000.