Tough To Talk, Public Health South Tees, and North Riding Football Association are proud to announce a trailblazing partnership aimed at addressing the critical issue of men's mental health and suicide in the North East of England.

This collaboration, under the initiative "Break The Silence," seeks to provide comprehensive support, training, and resources to men in the region.

Urgent Need for Action

The urgency for such an initiative is underscored by alarming statistics:

• Redcar and Cleveland had the highest suicide rate, with 17.4 suicides per 100,000 people between 2018 and 2020, significantly higher than the England and Wales average of 10.5.
  
  
• The male suicide rate in Redcar & Cleveland is quadruple that of females, with 76% of suicides being male between 2017 and 2019, compared to the national trend.

Life-Saving Impact of Partnerships

Steve Whittle, Founder of Tough To Talk, highlighted the critical role of partnerships in making a tangible difference: "Partnerships like this one are truly life-saving. They enable Tough To Talk to reach men in male-centric spaces where the support is desperately needed. By working together, we can make a profound difference in mental health awareness and provide the essential support that can save lives. We are grateful for the collaboration and hopeful for the positive change it will bring to our community."

Steven Wade, Chief Executive at North Riding FA, added: “North Riding FA is delighted to be working in partnership with Tough to Talk and Public Health South Tees to break the silence around male suicide. We know the power that football has to positively change people’s lives and through this partnership we aim to establish a network of individuals who can support others that might be struggling with poor mental health. If you are a player, coach, referee or volunteer, no matter what your role in the game, you can make a difference and help to save someone’s life.” 

Gary Wilson, of Public Health South Tees, said: We are honored to be working in partnership with Tough to Talk and North Riding FA. Encouraging people to start conversations across communities can make a profound difference in mental health awareness.” 

Focus on Positive Action

This partnership will leverage the combined strengths of Tough To Talk, Public Health South Tees, and North Riding Football Association to develop and deliver vital content, training, and support services. The goal is to foster a community where men feel empowered to seek help and support for their mental health challenges.

Together, we can "Break The Silence" and create a supportive community for men's mental health in the North East of England. Stay tuned for more updates and information on how you can contribute to this vital cause.

For more information on Tough to Talk, please visit www.toughtotalk.com