Awareness and attitudes around men’s health is improving — helped by a growing number of celebrities, sports stars and everyday heroes talking more openly about their own health and wellbeing.
When successful sportsmen such as cricketer Ben Stokes1, and Olympic swimmer, Adam Peaty2, announced they were taking time out of their schedules to protect their mental wellbeing, it challenges the myth that poor mental health is sign of weakness.
There’s more to do
But there is still a long way to go, as Peaty pointed out on social media, “Reading some of the comments in response to this [Peaty’s announcement that he was taking a break] is why we have such a stigma around mental wellbeing in sport.”3
And there is no denying that we face an ongoing crisis around men’s mental health, in particular.
Suicide
The statistics are shocking:4 Men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women. Men aged 40 to 49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK. One in eight men has a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder. Men are far less likely to access therapy – only 36% of NHS referrals for talking therapies are made for men. In 2019, the suicide rate in men was the highest recorded since 2000,5 and while the pandemic has not led to any increase in these deaths,6 the picture is still uncertain as there is evidence of rising mental distress, particularly among younger people.7
Traumatic
And the pandemic has undoubtedly been traumatic, although trauma is a more subtle concept than we often realise. David Trickey a consultant psychologist and Co-Director of the UK Trauma Council explains that stress can turn into trauma when there is a disconnect in “meaning-making” and “the way you see yourself, the way you see the world, and the way you see other people” is overturned, by a stressful event — such as the pandemic. This disruption in our ability to make sense of events can spiral into trauma.8
For men, this sense of powerlessness associated with the pandemic might present additional challenges around gender-based perceptions and the need to be ‘strong’ and ‘in control’. These gender stereotypes also deter men from seeking help. There is still a misconception that poor mental health is ‘incompatible’ with traditional perceptions of masculinity, and that conditions such as depression, which impact emotional wellbeing, are intrinsically feminine.9
Action
Language, and the way mental health messages are communicated to men can break down many of the barriers around seeking help. Bupa Behavioural Insights Adviser Lauren Gordon explains, “We advise identifying what might be stopping your audience from asking for help and tailoring the messaging accordingly.
“One barrier to using an employee assistance programme (EAP) is the concern that the information will be shared with the employer — this can be easily addressed in messaging, by highlighting that the service is confidential. Ease of access is also crucial. Making it really clear how to access the service can reduce any uncertainty and encourage people to seek help.”
Lauren suggests, “Think about who your messages are for. Studies show that men prefer a solution-focused approach when it comes to seeking help for mental health.10
“Framing the messaging to motivate change, addressing stereotypes and incorporating content that highlights positive traits — such as taking action, responsibility and strength— will resonate better.”
“Where possible, it is best to test any tailored communications first, with a small group of the target audience, to make sure it lands as anticipated.”
Delivering a tailored messaging at the right moment can also prompt action. In an office, placing information about how to access support in places where staff might take a break can provide a timely reminder. For example, leaflets and motivational stickers by the tea and coffee making facilities, or posters in a private places such as bathroom cubicles.
Signposting
“For a large organisation with large numbers of male employees on the road, we successfully encouraged more men to seek help using tailored stickers on their vehicle dashboards”, Lauren says.
Every workplace is unique, so carefully considering whether the message is right for the audience and how it’s addressing their specific barriers can help.
Did you know 75% of all suicides are men? This video helps you to understand some of the factors that may lead to suicidal thoughts
Resources to support you
Organisations can explore the latest insights on the importance mental health and wellbeing, as well as access a selection of men’s health and suicide employee engagement material:
Manager’s Guide to Talking about Suicide at work
Suicide focus:
2 https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/58052874
4 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/m/men-and-mental-health
5 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/01/male-suicide-rate-england-wales-covid-19
6 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(21)00087-9/fulltext
7 https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/9/e040620
8 https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210203-after-the-covid-19-pandemic-how-will-we-heal
9 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.599039/full
10 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1557988319857009
