Men’s Health Week, taking place from June 10th to June 16th, focuses on improving the health outcomes of men across the UK.
Why it matters
Men’s Health Week is significant because it highlights the often-overlooked aspects of men’s health, particularly mental health and stress management. According to statistics, men are less likely than women to seek help for health issues, especially mental health problems, due to societal expectations and norms around masculinity. The workplace, being a central aspect of many men’s lives, serves as an essential arena for addressing these issues.
How leaders can make a difference
Here are some steps leaders can take to actively support the campaign:
- Promote Open Conversations: Encourage discussions about health and wellbeing in the workplace. Leaders can set the tone by sharing their experiences and inviting professionals to talk about mental health, stress management, and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Implement Supportive Policies: Review and possibly revise company policies to include mental health days, flexible working hours, and access to counselling services. These policies can help reduce workplace stress and show commitment to employee health.
- Organise Wellbeing Activities: Plan activities that focus on stress reduction, such as workshops on mindfulness, stress management seminars, or regular physical activities. These initiatives can help employees learn practical ways to manage stress and improve their health.
- Lead by Example: Leaders should practice what they preach by adopting healthy habits and making use of the wellbeing resources provided. This visibility can encourage employees to do the same.
Further reading and resources
For more insights and resources on how to get involved and to better support men’s health in your organisation, visit the following links:
- Men’s Health Forum: Access tools and resources to engage with Men’s Health Week at Men’s Health Forum.
- Mind, the Mental Health Charity: For resources on mental health in the workplace, visit Mind.
- NHS Every Mind Matters: Provides excellent tips and strategies for mental wellbeing that can be tailored to workplace settings at Every Mind Matters.
Workplace Wellbeing Professional & Men’s Health
Men are significantly less likely than women to see a doctor or report symptoms to a health care provider. Coupled with the fact that 115 people die by suicide in the UK every week – with 75% of those deaths being male – we need to group together to better protect the male population. To read content relating to male health in the workplace, follow the links below (with much more to be found under ‘Men’s Health’ in the Topic Index):
- Employers need to consider better support for working Dads
- Suicide rate 3x higher in men than in women
- The wider impact of cancer diagnosis on men. Are employers doing enough?
- Breaking down barriers in male health
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.