Globally, Men’s Health Awareness Month, is being celebrated throughout November with International Men’s Day and Movember. These key events are dedicated to heightening awareness to a wide range of men's health and wellbeing issues and to urge organisations to contribute in creating a healthy and safe environment for their male workforce.
Taking a proactive approach to meeting the health and wellbeing needs of men will let your employees know they are valued and supported. It can also boost employee performance, reduce absenteeism and attract and retain the best talent.
Research from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that in comparison to women, men do not seek out healthcare as regularly and they consistently report unmet healthcare needs1. Men are also less likely to disclose their mental health concerns to their friends or family2. The stigma attached to illness and men perceiving illness as a weakness are often found to be the reasons why men are not as vocal about their health concerns. Now more than ever, employers need to consider a stronger focus on men’s health and wellbeing across their workplaces.
How best to provide workplace support specific for men’s health and wellbeing with the ‘HOPE’ approach:
Taking a proactive approach to meeting the health and wellbeing needs of men will let your employees know they are valued and supported. It can also boost employee performance, reduce absenteeism and attract and retain the best talent.
Research from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that in comparison to women, men do not seek out healthcare as regularly and they consistently report unmet healthcare needs1. Men are also less likely to disclose their mental health concerns to their friends or family2. The stigma attached to illness and men perceiving illness as a weakness are often found to be the reasons why men are not as vocal about their health concerns. Now more than ever, employers need to consider a stronger focus on men’s health and wellbeing across their workplaces.
How best to provide workplace support specific for men’s health and wellbeing with the ‘HOPE’ approach:
- Hold an informal men’s forum that can act as a safe space: Having a supportive work environment where everyone, particularly men, know that they are allowed the time to address any health concerns is extremely enabling.
- Offer male-specific confidential support from mental health professionals.
- Provide your team leads with appropriate training to enable them to spot early signs of poor mental and physical health and know where they can signpost their employees to.
- Encourage employees to do regular health check-ups and equipping them with necessary health information.
How we can support you
With our established local presence, we understand the cultural nuances associated with addressing mental health and wellbeing issues in the workplace.
By downloading our Assistance App, your employees can gain access to our Emotional Support services from a certified counsellor from the comfort of their own home.