How to support men's mental health in the workplace

Men’s mental health is a serious issue that is often overlooked in the workplace. This hidden crisis deserves much deeper discussion and meaningful solutions that encourage men to reach out when struggling or on the path to burnout.

It’s no secret that men are less likely than women to seek help for depression and anxiety. According to NHS figures, only 36% of mental health referrals are pursued by men. A long history of societal expectations plays a role in this behaviour, including stigma and workplace culture. Combined, they are a recipe for inevitable stress and anxiety that leads to more serious mental health issues.

Employers play a crucial role in building an environment that supports the wellbeing of men and provides support, resources and ensures the work environment is free from unnecessary stressors.

What can employers do to provide a mentally healthy workplace?

Address stress in the workplace

Sickness absence is on the rise in the UK, and workplace culture has been identified as a central cause. Training all staff to spot the signs of stress and burnout before they happen and creating clear guidelines on managing them could not only create a more positive work environment but also save a life.

Reassess workloads

Workload plays a significant contribution to making or breaking workplace culture. A recent study in the UK found that 30% of managers attribute increased workload to a decline in motivation and productivity.

Leaders should strive to be approachable so their team can flag workload stress without fear of repercussions. Often, a reshuffle of workload will only be temporary and allow a team member to get on top of tasks.

Creating a plan can be a simple matter of reprioritising tasks. Discuss with your team member what their work day, week or month looks like; clarify their role and find out if they need more time on tasks, training, or a new routine where they batch task, rather than juggle multiple duties at once. Be sure to make them feel involved in the process.

Challenge the stigma of men's mental health issues

Many men avoid addressing their mental health challenges due to fear of being judged.

By creating open conversations around mental health in your workplace and providing resources, like an Employee Assistance Programme with counselling services or mental health awareness workshops for all staff, you can begin normalising issues and show solidarity. Team members will most likely prefer to have confidential help with their experiences, but these measures could be what will get the process started for them. It will also help them feel supported through their journey to recovery.

Offer flexible work

Where possible, offer flexibility for team members to work to a schedule that suits their lives. Remote or hybrid work and adaptable hours can help people manage their personal lives better alongside their roles.

Help during relationship breakdowns

Men who are going through separation or divorce are six times more likely to experience an episode of depression than men who remain married. Relationship breakdowns trigger a snowball effect of life adjustments; many people have to relocate, attend appointments with their lawyers and even manage childcare responsibilities differently. Offering your team member flexibility during their most difficult times could be what they need to manage their mental health better.

Flexible parental leave policies are a great idea overall. Believe it or not, stress can come in happy times, too. The UK has notoriously poor paternity leave policies, so new fathers lose out on time with their newborns to keep income flowing through the household. It is often up to employers to give fathers more bonding time with their children without creating more financial strain. Consider extending paid paternity leave policies to keep stress levels at a minimum for the men in your business.

Encourage physical wellbeing

Physical activity and being outdoors are great ways to improve mental health. There are many options that your business can offer, such as group and individual initiatives, to encourage team members to keep their fitness up. If there is a gym near your work, see if you can partner with them and offer your staff memberships. Organise outdoor team building activites to rebuild connections and give your team new memories and experiences.

Moving forward

Ensuring that mental health is addressed in the workplace will create a healthier and happier team, who in turn will be loyal and productive. It is the moral duty of leaders to ensure that their team leave work each day healthier than they arrived.

By reducing workloads, removing stigma, and supporting mean experiencing personal challenges with flexibility and understanding, employers will break down the typical barriers that affect men the most in managing their mental health. Of course, these ideas are suitable for women also, but it is important to create a supportive environment for men who experience unique barriers to recovery from mental health issues.

If you or somebody you know is experiencing poor mental health, the Samaritans, Men's Health Forum and The Calm Zone have excellent resources for support and assistance.