Men's Mental Health Awareness Month

One in eight men in England has experienced a mental health struggle. Three out of every four suicides are men.

Mental health awareness is critically important due to the unique challenges and societal pressures men face. NHS statistics show that men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues compared to women, often due to cultural expectations that stigmatise vulnerability and emotional expression in men.

Societal Expectations

The way society views masculinity has a profound impact on men’s mental health. From a young age, boys are often taught that showing emotion is a sign of weakness. Phrases like “man up,” “boys don’t cry,” or “toughen up” are commonly used to encourage emotional suppression, creating a culture where men feel they must hide their vulnerabilities.

These societal expectations of stoicism, strength, and self-reliance make it difficult for men to seek help when they are struggling with mental health issues. Ignoring mental health can lead to severe problems such as anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and even suicidal thoughts. The suffocating expectation of keeping emotions bottled up pushes men into a cycle of silent suffering.

Globally, the mental health statistics for men are alarming.

In almost every country, more men die by suicide than women and suicide is a leading cause of death for men in the United Kingdom. Every year, approximately 6,000 people take their own lives. While women are more likely to attempt suicide or be diagnosed with a mental health condition, men account for around three-quarters of all suicides.

Growing Recognition of Mental Health

Encouragingly, recent years have brought greater attention to mental health, with organisations recognising its vital role in building stronger, happier teams. Yet, it's essential to remember that physical strength does not equate to emotional resilience.

A man with a seemingly robust exterior may be concealing profound mental struggles beneath the surface. We must break the misconception that strength is solely physical and acknowledge the courage it takes to express vulnerability.

Upcoming Awareness Campaigns

This is an important time for the masculine soul because it gathers several events that highlight mental health issues, suicide prevention, and positive male role models.

Alongside Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the month of November is widely associated with the Movember campaign that focuses on raising money for men’s health. On 19th November, we also celebrate International Men’s Day, which highlights the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities.

Raising awareness and funds for mental health issues is becoming increasingly important. As leaders, organisations, and as a society, we need to offer a helping hand to anyone who may be struggling.

Salford City FC - Supporter’s Assistance Programme (SAP)

At Health Assured, we aim to highlight positive role models and raise awareness of men’s wellbeing. That’s why we’ve launched the Supporter’s Assistance Programme - a first-of-its-kind initiative that gives all season ticket holders at Salford City FC exclusive access to our mental health support services.

Life demands are pressing, and, for many, football provides an escape from the pressures of everyday life. A time to get away with fellow supporters and be in the moment, united by their love of the game.

Fellow fans can be a vital support network, as highlighted in a powerful video campaign by Norwich City. But with big wins come big losses, and if someone is already struggling with their mental health, then all the ups and downs of following your team can have a further impact.

Wisdom Live - Men’s Mental Health

Every month, we bring together a panel of experts in a live webcast to discuss a range of mental health challenges affecting workplaces. Our latest Wisdom Live webcast - Men’s Mental Health: Let’s Talk – focused on practical strategies to help organisations create a culture where men feel comfortable discussing their mental health struggles.

You can watch the full webcast here: Men’s Mental Health: Let’s Talk

One of the most powerful forms of leadership is simply listening. When men feel heard, without judgement or impatience, it opens the door to emotional healing. It takes significant bravery to reveal their innermost thoughts, appearing raw and exposed.

I am especially enthusiastic about my organisation’s commitment to this form of leadership. I believe that by creating safe spaces and encouraging employees to open up about their challenges in the workplace, it creates a culture that everyone can benefit from.

One such example comes from Phil, one of our Wellbeing Consultants, who recently took a courageous step in sharing his experiences with mental health.

I’m sure Phil wouldn’t mind me saying that he’s an outstanding salesman and highly regarded within the organisation. A jovial character who never fails to draw laughter from colleagues and wears a smile throughout the day. However, it’s his vulnerability in the recording below that impressed me the most.

Meaningful Change in Male Mental Health

So, how can leaders play a role in fostering meaningful change in male mental health? It starts with dismantling the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. Leading by example and initiating difficult conversations with empathy are effective ways to achieve this.

1.      Normalising conversations about mental health

Establishing safe spaces where male employees feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns with their manager is also key. Creating an inclusive, non-judgemental, empathetic workplace culture forms the foundation for this, and when other leaders share their own experiences, it can inspire others to open up.

2.      Suicide Prevention Programs

Suicide prevention programs should be tailored to address the unique risk factors faced by men. These programs can provide education on the warning signs of suicide, offer crisis intervention services, and promote help-seeking behaviours. Community organisations, workplaces, and healthcare providers should work together to ensure that men in crisis have access to the support they need.

3.      Promoting Work-Life Balance

Work-related stress is a significant contributor to men’s mental health issues. Employers can play a role in promoting mental health by offering flexible work schedules, encouraging employees to take mental health days, and providing resources for stress management. By creating a work environment that prioritises wellbeing, companies can help reduce burnout and improve overall mental health outcomes for their employees.

4.      Providing Male-Friendly Resources

Mental health services should be designed with men’s unique needs in mind. This could include offering therapy in non-traditional settings, such as outdoor environments, group activities, or physical fitness programs that incorporate mental health support. Additionally, increasing the number of male therapists and counsellors can help men feel more understood and supported in their mental health journey.

5.      Challenging Gender Stereotypes

Finally, challenging harmful gender stereotypes is key to improving men’s mental health. By promoting positive models of masculinity that include emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-care, we can help men feel more comfortable expressing their emotions.

Get in touch with Health Assured

Want to find out more? Give us a call on 0800 206 2554. We’re here to help. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is always available.

There is always someone to talk to and you can get help right now if you need it. It is important to know that whenever you are feeling down, you do not have to go through it alone.

Helplines:

• Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours)
• HOPELINEUK (for people under 35): 0800 068 4141 (9am-10pm weekdays, 2pm-10pm weekends and bank holidays)
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (for men):  0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight every day)
• NHS urgent mental health helpline: Find your local NHS helpline for 24-hour advice and support (England only)