Three years ago  a very good friend of mine who had always struggled with mental health took his life. Many of us thought we could and should have done more to talk to him. 

In my part of Cornwall,  as in the rest of the country, we don't talk about mens' mental health enough. Research from Movember has found that in Camborne, Redruth and Hayle - where I'm MP - men are twice as likely to die early than elsewhere in England, and suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged 20 to 34.

Young men, and men generally, aren't good at talking about their mental health. Poverty, depravation, lack of appropriate housing and decent jobs, and drug and alcohol addiction all have a huge impact on mens' mental health, but every mountain is climbed one step at a time.

There are some wonderful Cornish mental health charities and for my part, ahead of the Redruth v Camborne local derby on September 14th, I will be running from Camborne RFC to Redruth RFC in aid of Movember and mens' mental health. In Westminster, I'll be supporting every one of the Government's initiatives to turn the tide on mens' suicide. 

I would be grateful for your support. 

Thank you,

Perran