Despite the widespread prevalence of conditions like anxiety and depression in men, men’s mental health is still a topic that many shy away from. In this blog, we’ll be shining a light on Men’s Mental Health Month, exploring what it is, when it takes place, and what you can do to get involved.
Although there isn’t a universally agreed-upon period for it, Men’s Mental Health Month – often recognised as part of the broader Men’s Health Month in the US and Men’s Health Week across the globe – is a time when many people talk openly about men’s mental health, and show support for men who are experiencing or have experienced mental health challenges.
According to research, men are far less likely than women to seek support for their mental health issues, and around 40% of men suggest they’ve never spoken to anyone about how they’re feeling. Unfortunately, this means that they’re also more likely to suffer extreme negative consequences like suicidal ideation or suicide itself.
By setting aside time to address and discuss men’s mental health issues, we can encourage support-seeking, provide comfort to those currently struggling, and change outdated attitudes that can prevent men from getting help.
Some of the most common men’s mental health issues in the UK include:
Depression: While depression can also cause sadness, in men, it may manifest as irritability, anger, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and fatigue. This means that it can sometimes be harder to spot.
Anxiety: It’s suggested that anxiety is slightly less common in men than women, yet many men still report being affected by it. This anxiety may present as excessive worry, restlessness, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating, sometimes leading to avoidance behaviours.
Substance Abuse: According to research, men are more likely than women to develop a dependency on alcohol or drugs. This can lead to problems in relationships, work, and physical health. Although substance abuse isn’t always caused by mental health issues, there is often a connection.
Suicidal Ideation: Sadly, suicidal ideation tends to lead to many more deaths in men than in women. Suicidal ideation can range from fleeting thoughts about death to detailed plans for taking one’s own life.
All of these issues show us just how important it is to reduce stigma and make sure men seek the help they need. While research suggests that some conditions, like anxiety and depression, are more prevalent in women than men, it’s vital to recognise that this is purely the picture painted by what’s been reported. Since many men avoid speaking out, in reality, the numbers may be very different.
In the UK, we tend to celebrate Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in November. This takes place during Movember, a time when men grow moustaches to raise money for men’s mental health.
Lots of people also celebrate Men’s Health Week in June, which includes mental health as part of its focus. As a result, Men’s Health Week can be seen as a bit like a second Mental Health Awareness Month, and many choose to raise awareness and support for men’s mental health during this time, too.
If you, a family member, or a loved one are experiencing any of the following symptoms to the extent that they are significantly affecting daily life or relationships, it could be a sign of a mental health issue:
Increased Irritability or Anger: Men with mental health issues may appear more irritable, angry, or frustrated than usual, even without a clear cause.
Excessive Tiredness: Men struggling with their mental health may report being tired all the time for no apparent reason. This includes showing signs of excessive fatigue, even after being checked out for physical causes.
Obvious Sleep Changes: Men impacted by mental health issues may feel the need to sleep more often in the daytime (hypersomnia) or find it hard to sleep at night (insomnia).
Persistent Stress and Worry: Men with mental health issues may also appear constantly worried, stressed, or panicked. This may affect them during the day or at night.
Feelings of Detachment and Hopelessness: Some men with mental health issues may feel detached and hopeless. This may cause them to become disinterested in their hobbies or work.
Engaging in Unhealthy Habits: Finally, men dealing with negative mental health may start engaging in unhealthy habits like disregarding personal hygiene, eating a poor diet/not eating properly, using substances more excessively, or engaging in risky behaviours like gambling.
With any kind of mental health issue, it’s important that men reach out for support. Initially, this might mean speaking to a friend or loved one. However, if a person’s mental health is having a significant impact on their life or doesn’t improve with help from their close support network, it may be necessary to involve a counsellor or clinician.
Bringing a professional in for support helps to:
If you’re an employer and would like to champion men’s mental health in your organisation, there are lots of things you can do to reduce stigma and create a safe, supportive environment.
You can:
Assign Time for Open Discussion and Training: Set aside time to bring all staff together for chats and training surrounding men’s mental health. This will help to normalise mental health discussions and tackle misconceptions head-on.
Support Men’s Mental Health Charities: During Men’s Mental Health Month/Men’s Health Week, consider fundraising for charities like Men’s Minds Matter and Movember. This will encourage people to think about the seriousness of mental health while having fun in the process.
Create a Men’s Mental Health “Buddy” System: Create a system in your workplace where men who have volunteered or opted in are assigned other men to talk to about mental health issues. This can help to promote openness, make staff feel less alone in facing mental health issues, and remove the pressure of having to go straight to a manager or senior member of staff.
Regularly Share Resources: Use online resources from Mind and the Mental Health Foundation to find helpful activities, ideas, and discussion topics. These can be integrated into your men’s mental health training. Also, consider providing staff access to a wellbeing platform or employee counselling. Promoting these resources will show staff that you are willing to take mental health seriously.
Make Time for Employee 1:1s: Always make time to chat with your staff one-on-one. As we mentioned earlier, men can be more reluctant to open up about their mental health, but they still need the opportunity to do so. Even if a staff member isn’t openly telling you about an issue, you’re more likely to recognise struggles or changes in behaviour if you talk to them regularly.
Remember: Meaningful action requires a holistic approach. To become an employer that champions mental wellness, pair these suggestions with a flexible attitude, realistic workload expectations, and leadership that promotes healthy work-life boundaries.
If we all take men’s mental health seriously and commit to wellbeing initiatives at work, it can have a tremendous impact on our workplaces as a whole. Not only can we create more supportive, inclusive work environments, but we can also help to reduce absence, lower stress, increase productivity, and build a greater sense of togetherness.
When everybody has a healthy attitude towards men’s mental health, talking about it becomes the norm. And quite often, this is the first step that’s needed for men to feel empowered to seek help.
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