Simon Says, Let’s Talk launches online, with Andy Burnham MP as the first guest
Simon Says, Let’s Talk: Dr Simon Opher MP interviews Andy Burnham MP and Craic Health Founder, Lu Jackson
SIMON SAYS, LET’S TALK LAUNCHES ONLINE
Craic Health can finally announce the launch of 'Simon Says, Let's Talk', the men's creative health Podcast-on-Prescription series, hosted by Dr Simon Opher MP. Our opening guests are Andy Burnham MP and Craic’s Founder, Lu Jackson, who is a series co-founder. The microsite live from today!
With comedy always on my mind, I asked the Manchester MP the big one: who's funnier, Liam or Noel (from Oasis)?
Simon Says, Let's Talk is a free, not-for-profit creative health series supporting men's mental health through honest conversations with well-known men from comedy, music, sport, politics and public life.
Hosted by Dr Simon Opher MP MBE, with his GP hat on, the series explores the pressures men often face but can struggle to express.
The series episodes feature Tom Walker (Jonathan Pie), Robbie Savage (footballer), Dale Vince (Forest Green Rovers), Dr Phil Hammond (comedian and retired GP), Tom Findlay (Groove Armada / CBT psychotherapist), Andy Burnham MP, The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, and Jake Jefferson.
All episodes are sponsored so the podcasts are accessible for everyone in the community—we thank our Ep.1 sponsor, the Laura Kinsella Foundation and its founder Stephen Kinsella.
All our guests have curated music playlists including Andy Burnham MP: "Music for Men to remaster themselves: Run To The Kings of the North"... it's a soundtrack to help men get back on their feet and keep the good podcast vibes going.
It takes a village: these podcasts and playlists are brought to you as a not-for-profit initiative by co-founders Dr Simon Opher MP and his amazing team, Brimscombe Mill, Craic Health: Comedy-on-Prescription®, NHS Gloucestershire, with production by Emlyn Bainbridge and artwork by Jenny Bowers.
Andy Burnham MP, with Dr Simon Opher MP and his team, Sufyan Ahmed, and Tim Davies
Brimscombe Mill Team: Jo and Jess!
Production: Emlyn Bainbridge
WHY DOES MEN’S HEALTH MATTER: RELATED STATS
| Issue | Stat (concise) | Region | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suicide |
75% of suicides in the UK are male (≈3× the rate of women). Northern Ireland: 28.5% most deprived vs 13.1% least deprived. Scotland: 2.5× higher in most deprived areas. Young people (13–24, 2024): Trans men 72% considered; 30% attempted. Trans women 68% considered; 23% attempted. |
UK | NSPA • NISRA • NRS • Trevor Project |
| Drug-related deaths | 2024: 3,710 male vs 1,855 female — over double in men. | England & Wales | ONS bulletin |
| Alcohol-specific deaths | 2024: 9,809 deaths — 20.2/100k men vs 9.7/100k women. | UK | ONS bulletin |
| Living alone | Increase in men living alone: +415k vs women +204k (2023). | UK | ONS 2023 |
| Living with parents | 20–34 year-olds: 33% men vs 22% women (2023). | UK | ONS 2023 |
| Single / intimacy |
63% of men under 30 single vs 34% of women (US). 30% of men 18–24 reported no sex in past year (up from 19%). Rising porn-linked ED & delayed ejaculation under 40. |
US | Pew Research • Lei & South (2021) • Dwulit & Rzymski (2019) |
| Higher education | By age 19: 54% women vs 40% men in higher education. | UK | House of Commons Library (2024) |
| NEET (16–24) | Jan–Mar 2026: 1.012m total — 553k male vs 459k female; 14.4% men vs 12.5% women. | UK | ONS (2026) |
| Prison population | 96% men, 4% women in prison (2025). | UK | MoJ Data |
| Domestic violence | ~75% victims are women; ~90% perpetrators are men. | England & Wales | ONS (2024) |
| Mental health crisis | By 2030, depression projected to be leading global cause of illness. | Global | WHO (EB130/9) |
| Cost to society | Mental ill health costs England ~£300bn per year. | England | Centre for Mental Health (2024) |
| Antidepressant use |
~10.7m adults (~1/5). England: 8.9m; Scotland: 1m; NI: 391k; Wales: 520k (2024/25). |
UK | NHSBSA • BSO (NI) • Gov Scot • Gov Wales |
| Prevention (social prescribing) | £2.14–£8.56 return per £1 invested (reduced GP, A&E, hospital visits). | England | NASP/NHS review |
Media note: If covering suicide-related issues, please consider Samaritans’ media guidelines on reporting.
PROJECT PARTNERS
ABOUT SIMON SAYS, LET'S TALK
Simon Says, Let's Talk is a creative-health podcast series breaking the silence around men's mental health. Hosted by Dr Simon Opher MBE (GP of 30+ years and MP for Stroud), each episode invites leading voices from comedy, music, arts, and sport to share real stories and practical tools for better mental fitness — by men, for men, with men, and those who support them. Through the NHS social prescribing network, GPs and link workers can prescribe tickets directly to patients. The series is co-produced free of charge by Craic Health and Brimscombe Mill and is not-for-profit.
ABOUT DR SIMON OPHER MP, MBE
Dr Simon Opher has been a GP in Dursley for over 30 years. He was awarded an MBE for being a pioneer of social prescribing. Renowned for revolutionising healthcare through the integration of artists and creative arts into patient care—an approach now embedded in national NHS policy—his ARTlift programme in Gloucestershire provided arts-based interventions that significantly improved mental health, social connection, and long-term condition management. His work has spurred widespread adoption of creativity in healthcare, shaping the future of social prescribing and demonstrating that the arts are a powerful tool for recovery, resilience, and wellbeing.
ABOUT CRAIC HEALTH
Craic is the operating system for the comedy industry — including Craic Health, the Comedy-on-Prescription® hub. We connect and support the comedy industry, healthcare teams, and communities to use comedy as both a health intervention and a conduit for social connection. Through Craic technologies, we are working towards digitally equipping comedy providers, so GPs and Link Workers can safely refer patients to verified, laughter-led programmes and events. Craic is already working with NHS partners to build this pathway, with full integration in progress. Our mission: to make comedy human, data-informed, fun and accessible within social prescribing.
ABOUT BRIMSCOMBE MILL
Brimscombe Mill is a social enterprise hub recognised as an innovative business for doing things differently, with experience working alongside supporters such as The NHS to tackle challenges like mental health, obesity and isolation. Brimscombe Mill was invited to host Simon Says, Let’s Talk because it exemplifies how community and creativity can work hand in hand to improve wellbeing on the ground.
When the Mill faced eviction from its home in 2024, it was the community that stepped in with support that was covered nationally, influential allies and a surprise pledge from Daniel Craig that helped to secure its future. Following this support a local philanthropist bought the buildings for the community, ensuring the work could continue. Brimscombe Mill is built on mutual care where the community looks after The Mill as The Mill looks after the community. We are building a local “doughnut economy” where people and planet can flourish one creative idea at a time.
Brimscombe Mill is a social enterprise hub in Gloucestershire employing local people, connecting thousands through shared meals, reuse projects, creativity and community events. Our businesses here, The Long Table, Kids Stuff, The Home Remedy and The Bike Drop are working to build a fairer, more connected local economy.
SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS
Supported by: Craic Health • Brimscombe Mill • NHS Gloucestershire
Previous episode sponsors: (Ep.1,3,5) The Laura Kinsella Foundation • (Ep.2) Ecotricity / Forest Green Rovers • (Ep.6) Mental Health Matters
