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Supporting Men’s Health in the Workplace:
A Manager’s Guide



Practical solutions to help support your male colleagues navigate their mental and physical health in the workplace.

As a manager, you offer vital support for your fellow colleagues. With the lines between home and work often blurred in the modern world, you may find yourself asking, what can I do to help support the men in my team as they navigate mental and physical health worries?

It’s vital that we address men’s health at work for those with existing issues, for those at risk, and for the workforce as a whole. Recent statistics highlight why men’s health is such an important topic that we should all be talking about.

Mental Health:

Men in the UK are three times more likely than women to die by suicide, with 75% suicides in the UK being men.

1 in 5 men will die before they are old enough the retire.

75% of people who go missing, become alcohol dependent or regularly use recreational drugs are men.

Work-Related Stress:

High-pressure work environments can take a toll on men. In 2019, 63% of all working days lost to stress-related illnesses were taken by men.

Physical Health:

Men tend to engage less in health-promoting behaviours. This can lead to higher rates of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Research suggests that traditional masculinity norms can discourage men from discussing their emotional health issues openly and stop them from seeking help for physical ailments, for example prostate examinations.

What Can Managers Do to Support Men’s Health

While these stats do paint a stark picture that can feel overwhelming, there are steps managers can take to help create an environment that promotes the health and well-being of their teams and encourages workers to bring their full selves to work.

Create a Safe and Supportive Working Environment

Promote an open and non-judgemental work environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their healthcare concerns. Ensure that workplace policies promote well-being and provide resources for employees to access support, such as Employee Assistance Programmes and Men’s Health Forums. This can come in many forms: employee handbooks, webinars and presentations, to name a few.

Promote Work-Life Balance

Encourage employees to take regular breaks, use their annual leave, and avoid excessive overtime. If you haven’t already, implement flexible working arrangements to help employees manage their work and personal lives effectively.

Training and Awareness

Organise workshops or seminars on healthcare topics such as mental health, stress management, and physical health. Ensure employees are taught about workplace health and safety more than once, annual reviews will keep the conversation going and be a gentle reminder for everyone in the business. Encourage employees to participate in well-being initiatives and ensure they know who to speak to at work about any health concerns they have, such as an occupational health nurse, your HR team or line managers. Also, make it clear how employees can access these services when working from home.

Lead by Example

Line Managers should model healthy behaviours and work-life balance. Share personal experiences or challenges related to well-being to reduce stigma and encourage open dialogue. Managers starting this dialogue can go a long way towards normalising the discussion for employees and fostering a supportive environment.

Recognise Warning Signs

Train managers to identify signs of mental health issues such as; stress, anxiety, or depression in employees. Make sure that employees are heard when issues arise, and sufficient steps are taken to support any team member who may be struggling.

For a more detailed look at how to help manage mental health in the workplace we suggest reading the CIPD & Mind’s People Managers Guide to Mental Health.

Why Talking Therapy Isn’t Always the Best Option for Men

While talking therapy can be effective for many individuals, it’s important to recognise that it may not always be the best approach for all men. Some men may feel uncomfortable discussing their emotions or struggle in a traditional therapeutic setting which doesn’t mean that they aren’t struggling with mental health.

The age group of men most likely to engage in talking therapy (40-50 years old) are also the most likely to die by suicide. With evidence gathered between 2010 – 2022 highlighting that although 50% of men are more likely to attend talking therapy, there was also an 11% increase in male suicide.

This highlights why encouraging male colleagues to seek different forms of support, including outside of the workplace, will help generate a multilayered approach to improve their health – both mentally and physically.

Supporting Men’s Health Outside of Work

Not all support needs, or should, come from within the workplace as stress and mental health issues don’t turn off when someone leaves the office. There are many ways you can encourage a healthy lifestyle and communication outside of the workplace.

Peer Support Groups: Men often find it more comfortable to share their experiences and concerns with peers who may have faced similar issues.

Physical Activities: Encouraging men to participate in group physical activities like sports, yoga, or team-building exercises can have a positive impact on both their mental and physical health.

Online Resources: Provide access to online resources, apps, articles, and self-help materials which allow men to learn about managing their mental health and overall well-being at their own pace and in the privacy of their homes. Online resources can also be shared with their support network, including spouses, siblings and friends, as it’s important that these individuals are involved in helping their close ones manage their well-being.

As the line between work and home life blurs, incidents of work-related stress and anxiety can increase. Unchecked and undiscussed, this can lead to employees having significant struggles and not all feel comfortable airing these. As a result, it is more important than ever that companies create new policies and practices that protect and support their employees. Creating a supportive environment, by offering training, discussing issues and sharing resources, can make a big difference in helping colleagues recognise warning signs for mental health issues.

It is imperative that all employees are given the support they need and are actively encouraged to raise concerns with their managers, to ensure they are well looked after and feel safe at work. While there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, there are many easily implemented changes you as a manager can make which will provide much needed assistance and comfort. With the right support, we can make significant strides in improving the lives of men across the UK.

For further information on wellbeing at work, read our blog ‘Mental health in the Workplace’.

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