A Northamptonshire men’s mental health campaigner has cautiously welcomed North Northamptonshire Council’s renewed focus on suicide prevention, calling it an important step in addressing what they describes as an ever-increasing crisis affecting middle-aged men. Ashley Riley, who has spoken publicly about their own severe anxiety and depression, said the most acute cases of mental illness represent only the tip of the iceberg of male suffering that remains unseen.

Council targets high-risk men in updated strategy

North Northamptonshire Council, led by Reform UK, has committed to prioritising men aged 45–64 after an audit showed they face higher risk factors than other groups. This commitment forms part of the broader Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022–2025, which is overseen by the Suicide Prevention Steering Group and was updated in April 2024. The strategy aims to reduce annual deaths by suicide across the county by 10% by 2025.

Plans include improved awareness campaigns, enhanced local services and tailored interventions for high-risk groups. These measures range from mapping suicide risk locations to public initiatives such as the Take a Break sofa campaign for World Suicide Prevention Day.

“It is encouraging that North Northamptonshire Council are actively looking at taking steps to address what is an ever-increasing crisis for middle aged men,” said Riley, a business owner and father of two. They recalled experiencing a low mood that escalated within a month into what he described as life-stopping anxiety and deep, dark depression.

Local and national data highlight persistent risks

Recent figures underline the scale of the issue.

• In 2021, there were 83 suicides in Northamptonshire.
• In 2022, 73 people died by suicide.
• In 2023, the figure was 71.

In each of those years, almost three quarters of those who died were male. These figures mirror national data from the Office for National Statistics, which show that men account for around three quarters of suicides in England and Wales between 2021 and 2023. Northamptonshire’s overall suicide rate remains similar to both England and East Midlands averages, with roughly 60–65 deaths annually.

Hospital admissions following self-harm in North Northamptonshire were 131.8 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 126.3. NHS England’s Hospital Episode Statistics report elevated self-harm admissions across the East Midlands, with ongoing pressures since the pandemic. Many cases remain unrecorded because data often exclude A&E attendances.

Severe mental illness linked to major health inequalities

The council report also highlights the significant health inequalities faced by people with severe mental illness (SMI), including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. Those with SMI have a life expectancy 15–20 years shorter than the general population. Research by King’s College London and NHS England shows that this gap is largely driven by preventable physical conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Public awareness of this disparity remains low.

“While services for those experiencing severe mental illness have to be improved and increased, we can not and must not forget the support that thousands of men need before they even reach the point of a serious diagnosis,” Riley said.

Waiting times and unmet needs leave many at risk

National charity MIND’s Big Mental Health Report, published in 2025, shows the consequences of delayed support.

• One third of people with stress, depression or anxiety became more unwell while waiting for help.
• 36% saw their mental health deteriorate while waiting for a GP appointment.
• 35% deteriorated while waiting for voluntary or third-sector support.
• 33% said the help they received from a GP did not meet their needs, up from 27% in 2019.

“Mental health is destroying men and their families and I know from personal experience that over one in three people are reporting a deterioration in their mental health while waiting for an appointment for help with their mental health,” Riley said. “What that means is that in reality, unless you report that you are self-harming or considering taking your own life you are simply sent home to exist.”

Personal experience underscores the severity

Riley later experienced psychosis and borrowed money to spend ten days in private psychiatric care. After leaving treatment, he suffered a stroke while mowing the lawn and was discovered by his 11-year-old daughter.

“After being sent home by my GP I didn’t know what to do,” he said. “My wife didn’t know what to do and my children couldn’t work out what was happening to their Daddy.”

“My experience was the same as millions of other men,” he added. “While it is right that any new strategy from NNC considers those experiencing SMI, it is equally important they consider and take action for the men who experience bone crushing anxiety and deep dark depression which all too often leads to an SMI diagnosis.”

“Early support and early intervention are key.”

Advocacy and calls for greater action

Riley, founder of the online support group Blue Soul Shoes, has become a prominent advocate for men’s mental health, appearing on BBC News and working with Corby and East Northamptonshire MP Lee Barron to encourage more open conversations. He has also criticised the lack of media attention given to the UK’s first Men’s Health Strategy.

He welcomed the county’s suicide prevention strategy but urged the council to go further.

“NNC could lead the way in ensuring mental is not used as a tool to accuse those experiencing ‘anxiety’ as a drain on public services.”

“NNC could and should lead the way in ensuring mental health for middle aged men is treated seriously, is not something to use a political tool to accuse those experiencing ‘anxiety’ are a drain on public services and address what has become a national epidemic.”

Experts emphasise integrated care

The strategy connects to wider local plans, including Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the Healthy Schools Programme. Annual reviews will track progress.

Experts emphasise that integrating physical and mental health care, combined with shorter waiting times, could save lives. With male suicide rates remaining consistently high and stigma still entrenched, Riley’s call for early and comprehensive intervention continues to resonate across Northamptonshire, where anxiety and depression in men are placing mounting strain on families and communities.