LIVED EXPERIENCE
Chris and Naomi's story: Sharing for Alasdair
Alasdair Rittey was 22 and training to become a doctor when he died by suicide. His father and sister are speaking out to change the system that let him down.
Chris and Naomi Rittey lost Alasdair to suicide. They're speaking out so that the health system changes for the men who come after him.
10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day.
We know men reach out for support. We've seen it at GPs, in therapy sessions, at pubs, on sidelines, even in group chats. Men can, and want, to talk. Yet globally, two out of three suicides are by men.
So this World Suicide Prevention Day we have one clear call to action: start those tricky conversations with a man who needs it – then keep them going. And make sure that when a man does reach out, something's there to meet him.
This one's for Alasdair
"The NHS is an incredible organisation. The solution to its problems is not just pouring money in it, it's about looking at the way it works and what people need" – Chris Rittey
Alasdair Rittey was 22 and training to become a doctor when he died by suicide. He had reached out for help multiple times. But the system let him down.
His death has left an immeasurable hole in the lives of those who loved him. His family are speaking up. Not just to honour his memory, but to help change the future of men's health in the UK.
Chris and Naomi shared Alasdair's story with us in June 2025, while the government was consulting on England's first ever Men's Health Strategy. We asked people to feed into it. That strategy was published in November 2025.
Movember is continuing to work with The Department Of Health as part of the men's health strategy stakeholder group to ensure the strategy is as impactful as it possibly can be. We know the strategy can be a crucial vehicle in improving the lives of men all over the country, as well as improving the lives of those who are affected by their health - men's health impacts everyone.
That's the long game. The short game is the conversation you have this week.
Keeping the conversation going
Movember Conversations lets you practise what comes next - how to keep it going when he brushes it off. Developed with mental health experts, funded by Movember.
Are you, or someone close to you struggling?
