Enhancing workplace wellbeing for men – a business imperative

Supporting Men’s Mental Health in the Workplace: A Call to Action for Businesses

Recent research from Suffolk Mind highlights a significant decline in how well men’s emotional and physical needs are being met. Unmet needs could lead to stress and impact men’s mental health. The findings, drawn from Suffolk Mind’s Emotional Needs Audit of over 25,000 responses, show that men’s emotional needs were 13% worse met in 2023/24 compared to 2022/23. This decline poses a substantial challenge for businesses aiming to foster a healthy, productive workforce.

Key findings:

Community: Needs were 21% worse met than the previous year.

Meaning and Purpose: Experienced a 20% decline.

Security: Fell by 18%.

Ezra Hewing, Head of Education at The Mental Health Toolkit (a workplace wellbeing training arm of Suffolk Mind), emphasised the importance of addressing unmet needs: “Men’s mental health is a big issue, and being aware that small changes can make a big difference is key.

“If someone is not meeting their physical and emotional needs for an extended period of time, this can lead to stress – which could progress to mental ill health.”

As businesse leaders, it is essential to prioritise men's mental health. By ensuring they are aware of available support you are encouraging them to put their wellbeing first.

Workplace impact:

Work situation: 39% of men reported their work situation as a barrier to meeting their needs. This is up from 33% the previous year.

Relationships: 35% of men cited their relationships as a barrier, an increase from 29% in 2023.

Ezra further explained, “Some approaches to addressing mental health may not appeal to all men – they may prefer practical solutions rather than being told to open up about their feelings.

“Men express their emotions in different ways, and there is a risk that we end up alienating them, particularly if they value independence and self-reliance.

“There needs to be recognition that some men feel comfortable about sharing how they feel and asking for help, while there are those who don’t.

“The most important thing is to let men know there is support out there for them if they need it.”

Business action steps:

Implement practical solutions: Offer actionable, straightforward strategies that men can incorporate into their daily routines.

Foster a supportive environment: Create a workplace culture where all employees feel comfortable seeking help. Train line managers so they are equipped with the knowledge and tools to support their staff.

Diverse support options: Cater to the needs of your business and team. Provide various resources, from our suite of workshops and courses to 1-2-1 coaching sessions or Suffolk Mind’s counselling services.

By adopting these practices, businesses can enhance employee wellbeing. This in turn leads to improved job satisfaction, increased productivity, and a healthier workplace culture.

For more information on Suffolk Mind’s approach to men’s mental health, visit Suffolk Mind - Men and Emotions. www.suffolkmind.org.uk/advice-information/men-and-emotions

To explore the resources and courses available through The Mental Health Toolkit: https://www.thementalhealthtoolkit.co.uk/the-toolkit/explore/