Despite ongoing health and awareness efforts, there’s still a significant stigma surrounding mental health, especially for men, with traditional masculine roles and the idea of ‘what it means to be a man’ often leading them to hide their struggles and preventing them from reaching out for support and care.
Men’s mental health is a significant and concerning issue that not only affects their personal wellbeing and relationships, but also can extend into their working lives.
When you consider how much time we spend at work, and the stresses and pressures work can put on us all, it’s easy to understand the impact this can have on anyone’s overall mental health.
The statistics around men’s mental health are alarming
Men account for three-quarters of all suicides in the UK, with suicide being the leading cause of death for men under 50.
A report from the Mental Health Foundation reveals that 12.5% of men in the UK are experiencing a common mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety, at any given time.
Men are far less likely to seek help compared to women, with research suggesting men often delay seeking mental health care due to stigma, embarrassment, or fear of being seen as weak.
The mental health challenges facing men
The idea of how men should act, whether it’s cultural expectations placed on men by our society or personal attitudes, has created significant health challenges.
Traditionally, in our culture, men should be that men should be stoic, self-reliant, and strong.
Unfortunately, these deep-seated beliefs can prevent men from expressing vulnerability, seeking help, or even acknowledging their struggles because they feel (wrongly) that this shows weakness.
Additionally, men are more likely to turn to riskier behaviours, like substance abuse and excessive drinking, as coping mechanisms.
These behaviours can make mental health issues worse.
Men also tend to externalise their emotions, which can result in anger, irritability, or even aggression, rather than the stereotypical signs of sadness associated with depression.
In some cases, men feel pressured to perform well in their roles as providers and protectors.
Economic pressures, job insecurity, or unemployment can intensify feelings of inadequacy, failure, or helplessness.
Moreover, men from lower-income backgrounds or those who identify as part of minority ethnic groups may face added layers of stress from financial pressures, social isolation, or discrimination.
Impact on working lives and the workplace
A man’s poor mental health can have a huge effect on their working life.
Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can severely impact focus, concentration, productivity, and overall performance.
In the UK, an estimated 17 million workdays are lost each year due to mental health problems.
For men, the pressure to maintain a job, provide for their families, and uphold a sense of identity through work can sometimes feel overwhelming, increasing mental health struggles even more.
As you’d expect, this has an impact on their workplaces.
Poor mental health can contribute to increased absenteeism, presenteeism (where an employee is physically present but mentally disengaged), and higher turnover rates.
On top of this, men in male-dominated professions such as construction, manual labour, and law enforcement may feel even more pressure to conform to traditional masculine ideals, which prevents open and honest conversations about mental health.
Improving the workplace to improve mental health for men
Leaders and managers in an organisation play a critical role in supporting men’s mental health.
By fostering a supportive environment, encouraging open conversations, and offering practical resources, you can help improve your team’s mental wellbeing.
Here are some strategies you can implement:
Promote a culture of openness
Encouraging discussions about mental health within the workplace creates opportunities for men to speak openly without fear of judgment.
Normalising conversations about mental wellbeing can help remove the stigma surrounding mental health for men.
Provide mental health training
Offering mental health awareness training for both managers and employees helps people recognise the signs of mental health struggles in their colleagues.
It provides guidance on how to approach the topic with sensitivity and understanding.
Create safe spaces
Consider establishing men’s mental health groups or forums where male employees can come together to discuss their challenges in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
Flexible working arrangements
Offering flexible work schedules or remote working options can ease some of the stress men may feel due to balancing work and personal responsibilities.
This can provide them with the time and space needed to address their mental health without compromising their work performance.
Access to professional support
Provide men access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or other professional mental health services.
Having these resources readily available and well-publicised can encourage men to seek help when needed.
Lead by example
Sharing your own personal experiences, when appropriate, and showing vulnerability can inspire other male employees to do the same.
Leaders should also prioritise their own mental health, setting an example of healthy work-life balance.
Monitor and address workplace stress points
Identify and mitigate workplace factors that disproportionately affect men, such as excessive workloads, lack of control over tasks, or unclear expectations.
Addressing these issues can significantly reduce the mental strain men experience at work.
Men’s mental health is a serious and complex issue that affects all of us.
By raising awareness, encouraging open conversations, and providing practical support, we can begin to break down the barriers and stigma that prevent men from seeking help.
In the workplace, leaders play an essential role in creating environments where men feel safe to discuss their mental health and access the resources they need.
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, proactive steps like those mentioned above can significantly improve mental health outcomes for men, leading to happier, healthier, and more productive workplaces.
If you’d like to learn more about improving and supporting mental health in your workplace, please contact our team.
Sources
- Men’s Mental Health Month 2023 – Cavamh
- Men urged to talk about mental health to prevent suicide – Gov.uk
- Men and mental health – Mental Health Foundation
- Men’s mental health – Mental Health UK
- Get it off your chest: a report on men’s mental health – Mind
- Men’s health – UK Parliament