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’.