Challenge your perceptions about men’s mental health on International Men’s Day
Content Officer, Mental Health at Work
We know that an employee’s mental wellbeing is influenced by many different factors – for example, gender, racism, disability, and financial wellbeing. Our new series explores these issues.
For International Men’s Day, Beckett Frith, content officer for Mental Health at Work, asks employers to challenge their preconceptions about men’s mental health.
International Men’s Day is a chance for us to highlight male role models, celebrate the achievements of boys and men, and for us to consider ways to promote humanitarian values. It’s also an opportunity for us to reflect on where our society is letting men down, especially with regards to their health and wellbeing.
And one of the most important ways for us to improve the workplace for men is to ask ourselves what we already think about men’s mental health, and ask ourselves if our preconceptions are correct. Firstly – what do we know to be true about men’s mental wellbeing?
One of the most well-known and frequently discussed issues facing men is suicide. Men’s mental health charity CALM explains that it is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, and the cause of 18 deaths every single day. This is a horrifying statistic, and one that rightfully gains attention each year through initiatives such as Movember, where men grow out their moustaches to raise awareness and money for this cause.
If you are concerned about this issue in your workplace, The Zero Suicide Alliance Zero Suicide Alliance The Zero Suicide Alliance is a collaboration of NHS trusts, businesses and individuals committed to suicide prevention. View organisation offers free trainingSuicide prevention training from the Zero Suicide Alliance This free online training shows how you can help people who might be contemplating suicide by bringing up the subject and offering support. The course is available to everyone and is accessible without any kind of registration or login. By: Zero Suicide Alliance View resource as part of their mission to improve support for people who might be contemplating suicide. It’s available to everyone without any kind of registration or login, so can very easily be distributed and promoted within your workplace to help create a more supportive, confident culture.
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