Supporting a positive conversation about mental health
Almost a third (29.9%) of all men surveyed by the Mental Health Foundation (2022/23 survey) have reported experiencing high anxiety and yet they are still far less likely to talk about their mental health challenges than women.
When you overlay this statistic onto the rates of male suicide, which now sit at around 16.4 per 100,000, the cause for concern is clear. The less men talk about their mental health, the greater the chance of this escalating into a serious condition that could lead to them taking their own lives.
Breaking the silence
Social stigma around masculinity can be powerful, making men feel pressured into keeping their emotions hidden. It can also be difficult to open up when you don’t feel like you have the right words to start a conversation about mental health. The longer the silence continues, the harder it becomes to break down the walls. For men who suffer with existing mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, this silence can exacerbate the problem, resulting in the condition worsening.
There are some steps that can be taken to help men feel more supported in their mental health journeys:
- Normalising the conversation and creating a safe space to talk. Sharing your own experiences of mental health with colleagues encourages others to do the same. This signifies that you are in an environment where it is okay to talk about mental health. It's also important to encourage people to find someone they can confide in whether that is a friend, family member, colleague, therapist or counsellor.
- Encouraging self-care and seeking help from professionals. Encourage men to take part in activities that promote mental health, some of which may be seen as more female focused. Exercise, meditation, getting outdoors and doing a hobby that you enjoy are just some of the things that can promote a more positive sense of wellbeing. Men should not be afraid to express their emotions – just like physical health conditions, mental health conditions can be treated by professionals and talking about them if the first step to getting a solution.
Mental wellbeing at work
The workplace has a huge role to play in creating a positive and safe space for people to talk about their mental health. Leaders can help to set the tone for acceptable behaviour in the workplace and this includes openness. If your business has a male leader who is prepared to talk about their own challenges, this can help to normalise emotional vulnerability and encourage other men to come forward. It’s also important to have policies at work that support positive mental health. These can include flexible working arrangements, encouraging breaks and implementing clear boundaries to prevent burnout.
Investing in your team’s health
A happy workforce is a more productive workforce so the reasons for investing in your employee’s mental health is clear. Partners, such as those who offer comprehensive employee assistance programmes (EAPs) enable businesses to provide a range of services that support the overall mental wellbeing of their teams. By passing the prolonged wait times that have become a feature of the NHS, employees can get connected with a specialist therapist who is equipped to provide personalised support, with a plan tailored to their specific needs.
Mental health challenges for both men and women, are not a one size fits all problem. The way an individual experiences the situation will be intensely personal to them so it’s important that the solution is also personal. Creating an environment where people feel comfortable about the challenges they are facing is a great starting point but offering them a clear pathway to their own mental wellbeing is a powerful tool to be able to provide to employees.
