Originally published on CorporateAdviser.com
Bupa's recent Health Horizons event tackled the pressing issue of men’s mental health. Despite some progress, men often suffer in silence regarding their mental wellbeing. The event explored the impact of relationships, fertility, and loneliness on men’s mental health, revealing a silent crisis that can affect the workplace.
Alice Hendy MBE, founder of a suicide prevention tool, R;pple, shared insights on why suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 20 to 34 years1. Alice also discussed actionable steps businesses can take to proactively address suicide prevention and support their workforce.
The silent crisis in men’s health
Many men can struggle to discuss their health openly. Every hour, 15 men die prematurely1, with men facing worse outcomes than women for heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers2. Men are also three times more likely to take their own lives1. Therefore, providing the right support within the workplace is crucial for the men’s health and wellbeing.
Supporting men with fertility
Infertility and erectile dysfunction (ED) affect a significant number of men. ED becomes more common with age3, but a quarter of newly diagnosed cases are in men under 404. Infertility affects one in seven couples5. Our event delved into the underlying causes of these issues and their impact on men’s mental health and sense of self, both at home and in the workplace.
Developing effective men’s mental health support
Poor mental health is a leading cause of workplace absence6. However, men often delay seeking help due to gender stereotypes around masculinity and fears of appearing weak7. Our event explored these barriers and provided evidence-based strategies to develop tailored initiatives that can support men’s health in the workplace.
Watch the latest event
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this crucial conversation and rewatch our latest event. Our experts discussed how businesses can adapt their wellbeing strategies to boost engagement of men’s mental health in the workplace.
Watch the latest Health Horizons event
Invest in your leaders and empower your workforce with the insights and tools provided by Health Horizons. Let’s navigate the future of workplace health and wellbeing together. Stay tuned for upcoming events.
Sources:
1 Movember Institude for Men’s Health 2024 UK report. 2 and 4
2 UK Parliament Post, Men’s Health, December 2023, DOI
3 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, October 2024.
4 Capogrosso P, Colicchia M, Ventimiglia E, Castagna G, Clementi MC, Suardi N, Castiglione F, Briganti A, Cantiello F, Damiano R, Montorsi F, Salonia A. One patient out of four with newly diagnosed erectile dysfunction is a young man–worrisome picture from the everyday clinical practice. J Sex Med. 2013 DOI: 10.1111/jsm.12179
5 NHS England, August 2023.
6 CIPD Survey Report, September 2023. (PDF, 1.3MB)
7 Sagar-Ouriaghli I, Godfrey E, Bridge L, Meade L, Brown JSL. Improving Mental Health Service Utilization Among Men: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Behavior Change Techniques Within Interventions Targeting Help-Seeking. Am J Mens Health. 2019. DOI: 10.1177/1557988319857009.
