York MP Luke Charters opened up about his mental health struggles during Prime Minister’s Questions today.
He took the opportunity of International Men’s Day to talk about the importance of men being ‘open about our emotions’ in the House of Commons.
In response, Keir Starmer thanked him for speaking out.
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Mr Charters, the Labour MP for York Outer, said: “On International Men’s Day, and in the spirit of Movember, I want to be open about my own past mental health challenges, in the hope that it might encourage other men to do the same.
“During the traumatic birth of my first son, I nearly lost my wife, and a dark cloud settled over me. A cloud lifted through conversation and support and through the safe arrival of my second son. And bright days lie ahead.
“I’m joined in the gallery today by Mike from York Menfulness, a fantastic charity giving men a place to talk.
“So will the Prime Minister, as a dad himself, agree with me that strength as a man means being open about our emotions and that we should never face into challenges on our own.”
Replying, Sir Keir thanked Mr Charters for his honesty. “It’s never easy to stand up and say what he’s just said.
“And I hope he understands just how important that is for others who will be suffering – who will be inspired to talk openly about their experiences and importantly get the help that they need.”
