A Scottish men’s health charity is calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a dedicated Men’s Health Strategy and appoint a Men’s Health Champion.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has launched a campaign called “Silent No More” and started a public petition. The charity says men in Scotland face poorer health outcomes and are more likely to die by suicide.
There are a number of Men’s Sheds operating across Renfrewshire, providing local spaces where men can meet, take part in practical activities and support each other.
The SMSA supports more than 210 Men’s Sheds across Scotland. It says more than 12,000 men take part in Sheds in their local communities. The group works to reduce isolation and improve physical and mental health.
The charity says Scotland does not currently have a specific strategy focused on men’s health.
In a recent response, Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, confirmed: “There are no current plans for the Scottish Government to develop a specific strategy focused on men’s health”.
The SMSA says this is despite evidence that men account for the majority of suicide deaths in Scotland. It also points out that the UK Government announced its first Men and Boys’ Health Strategy for England in November 2025.
The organisation says Scotland needs “a clear, properly funded Men’s Health Strategy that recognises men and boys’ specific needs, tackles health inequalities, and delivers meaningful action to reduce preventable deaths—especially suicide.”
The SMSA also says it has never received direct funding from the Scottish Government’s ring-fenced suicide prevention budget. That budget has increased to at least £3 million for the 2026–27 financial year.
The charity says it has been operating in Scotland for more than 11 years and has built a national network supporting men’s wellbeing.
As part of the campaign, the SMSA is urging people to sign its petition and contact election candidates ahead of the May elections to ask about their position on men’s health.
The petition will be delivered to the First Minister and the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, along with the full list of signatures.