Let’s talk men’s health
Men’s Health Awareness Week (9-15th June) is back. Observed annually during the week leading up to Father’s Day, Men’s Health Awareness Week aims to raise awareness about the health challenges faced by men and promote strategies for better physical and mental wellbeing.
At Medigold Health, we know that workplaces have a huge part to play. With men making up almost half of the UK workforce, it’s crucial that we do more to support them – not just during Men’s Health Awareness Week, but all year round.
The facts we can’t ignore
In the UK:
- 1 in 9 men die from cancer compared to 1 in 12 women
- 1 in 5 men will die before the age of 65
- Suicide the biggest cause of death for men under 35
- Three out of four suicides are by men-around 13 lives lost every day.
Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression affect thousands of men, however stigma and societal pressure often stop them from speaking up or seeking help with health concerns, particularly when it comes to mental health.
The urgency to improve outcomes is now being recognised at the national level. As part of the Government’s ‘Plan for Change’, a call for evidence is underway to help shape England’s first ever men’s health strategy.
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, commented:
“Every day, men across England are dying early from preventable causes. Men are hit harder by a range of conditions, while tragically suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50.
Our Plan for Change means we will tackle these issues head on through a men’s health strategy, and today’s call for evidence is the crucial next step in understanding what works, what doesn’t, and how we can design services men will actually use. I urge people to come forward to share their views.”
Fortunately, many of the reasons behind premature male deaths are largely preventable, but only if we create the right environment for men to speak up and seek support early.
How workplaces can improve men’s health
We spend a huge part of our lives at work. So, if we want to improve men’s health, the workplace is a great place to start.
Here’s how employers can get involved:
Talk more openly about health
Run informal sessions, team check-ins, or awareness days focused on common male health issues. Hearing colleagues and leaders share their experiences can break the ice for others.
Use everyday spaces for awareness
Put up posters in the office or in men’s toilets highlighting signs and symptoms of conditions like prostate, bowel and testicular cancer. It’s a simple but powerful way to raise awareness. Sharing information via screensavers, newsletters and intranet posts can also ensure health messaging reaches remote workers.
Offer free health and lifestyle checks
Run lifestyle screening days where men can drop in for a quick health MOT or more in-depth wellbeing check. These sessions can help identify early signs of health risks (e.g. raised blood pressure or blood glucose), give employees a better picture of their current health and empower them to make positive lifestyle changes to improve their wellbeing.
Review your policies
Make sure you’ve got supportive, clear policies in place around time off, workplace adjustments and mental health support. Most importantly, make them visible and easy to access.
Train your team
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), mental health awareness and wellbeing training can empower colleagues to spot the signs of someone who might be struggling and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to offer the right support.
Signpost support services
If you have an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling services or a wellbeing platform, shout about it. Too often, these resources go unused because people don’t know they’re there.
We’re here to help
At Medigold Health, we work closely with businesses to put these kinds of solutions in place.
We offer MHFA training, workplace webinars, mental health support and proactive health screening, to help you ensure the men in your workplace are healthy and happy.
If you’d like to learn more, get in touch!
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