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The event, on Thursday 6 November, comes in the wake of a report by the think-tank, the Centre for Social Justice. The organisation released a report earlier this year, The Lost Boys, that concluded that boys and young men are in crisis in terms of mental health, education and employment. Organised by men's organisation, Rumble, and the Evangelical Alliance, the event aims to consider how to respond to the issues from a Northern Irish perspective. The event will have input from Luke Taylor, one of the authors of Lost Boys, mental health experts and local representatives from policing, business and youth work. Among those invited are politicians, civil servants, youth workers, sports club managers, social workers, business leaders, and those working in the health and justice sectors. David Smyth, Head of Northern Ireland, Evangelical Alliance said: “The Lost Boys report brings to light many stark realities faced by boys and young men today. A societal crisis that affects us all is unfolding, and it cannot be solved by any single sector. "A united response is required from educators, employers, policymakers, civic leaders, frontline workers and family members alike. The church in Northern Ireland also has an important role to play in bringing hope into this space.” Spud Murphy, CEO & Founder, RUMbLEe added: “Too many sons, brothers and friends are growing up disconnected and directionless, struggling to find their place in society. "At RUMbLE, we believe every man and boy is made for more. This gathering is more than an event – it’s a call to action. Join us, and leading voices from across society, as we seek to inspire hope and ignite a response that cannot be ignored.” Some key statistics from the Lost Boys report are: :: Boys are falling behind girls in essentially every metric from nursery to university. Sex is now one of the most influential factors in educational outcomes. :: Boys are less likely to get into stable work and are much more likely to be involved in crime than girls. :: 2.5 million children in the UK do not live with a father figure. 76% of children in custody said they had an absent father. :: The lack of positive male role models coupled with widespread access to social media, increasingly attracts boys to warped, counterfeit models of masculinity. :: Men are three and a half times more likely to take their own lives and are acutely vulnerable to suicide at almost any age. :: The National Centre for Gaming Disorder was set up in 2020, 90 per cent of its service users were male. The conference, Igniting a response to the lost boys crisis, takes place on Thursday 6 November 2025, 7pm – 9.30pm, at UT Church, 276 Ravenhill Road, Belfast. For more details see: https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/library/lost-boys https://www.eventbrite.com/e/igniting-a-response-to-the-lost-boys-crisis-tickets-1786784513579
