Matthew has signed up to support the Movember campaign to highlight men’s health issues. Globally men die an average of six years younger than women. This is for a host of reasons but include prostrate and testicular cancer and, most notably, suicide. 

Over the last 12 months, Matthew has asked several questions of the Government on this issue. Answers have revealed that in England in 2018 suicides increased by 570 to 5,021. This was driven largely by male suicides. Last year, the number of male suicide registrations was 5.7% higher than the total in 2018 (3,800 deaths).

The first six months of this year (2020) saw 1,597 suicides - but the real total may be higher. The annual suicide statistics published by the ONS identify registrations by coroners, rather than the date of the death. In England all deaths caused by suicide are certified by a coroner following an inquest and cannot be registered until the inquest is completed. This can currently take months as a result of workload and the Covid pandemic. 

Matthew said: "Ordinarily I do not wear a moustache but feel this is a cause I am prepared to engage with by simply growing one. Like many people, suicide has touched my life and I understand the agony it causes family and friends.

"People who commit suicide usually do not want to die but feel they can’t live the life they are living. Many men find it difficult to express these feelings and enter a downward spiral. I hope that people can empathise with this problem and make a donation to the Movember cause.“ 

Donations can be made here. https://uk.movember.com/mospace/14326778