International Men’s Day: highlighting and champion men's wellbeing

There’s no getting around the fact that contemporary life has more than its share of stressors. Demanding jobs, the cost of living crisis, doomscrolling – any and all of these things, to name just a few, can catch up with you. But while a certain amount of stress is a normal reaction to challenging situations, closely related to our ancient ancestors’flight-or-fight response, it is all too easy for unmanaged worries to build up and become overwhelming. This, in turn, risks causing and/or compounding problems with both physical and mental health – something that we believe it is crucial to highlight and speak up about.

19 November marksInternational Men’s Day: an opportunity to raise awareness of men’s health and wellbeing. The date wasinaugurated in 1992and has been picking up traction ever since. It is important to note that International Men’s Day is by no means meant to detract fromInternational Women’s Day; rather, the occasion is intended for generating discussion around, and coverage of, issues that tend to affect men in particular.

For instance, in the UK men’s life expectancy (79) isfour years below women’s, having risen only very slightly since the COVID pandemic caused the sharpest drop in life expectancy since the Second World War. Men are more likely to havepoor health outcomes for non-communicable conditionsincluding some cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Men are also less likely to seek medical treatment for their ailments, withcommon explanationslike embarrassment, hoping problems will improve on their own, and old-fashioned ideas about stoicism often cited.

Unfortunately, these trends correspond to mental health conditions, too. Some12.5% of men in the UKhave a mental health disorder – yet despite a recentuptickin men seeking treatment for such issues, they are much less inclined to talk about it with friends and family,let alone look for help, than women. The reasons for this are complex and numerous, ranging from societal expectations and conditioning torace, all of which impacts on a sobering statistic around suicide in the UK: it is thebiggest killerof men under 50.Around 75%of people who commit suicide in the UK are men.

Initiatives such asMovemberhave had an impact on the positive coverage and visibility of men’s health. Growing a moustache to raise awareness of, and funds for, charities dedicated to testicular and prostate cancer, as well as suicide prevention, certainly goes some way towards encouraging men to look for help and talk about their problems. TheMen’s Shedsmovement, also, has been a wonderful resource for men struggling with loneliness and their mental health, providing safe spaces to make new connections and reduce social isolation.

The need for broader conversation about mental health was a large part of the motivation for Venari Partners working with the suicide prevention charity, theCampaign Against Living Miserably(CALM) for theVenari Partners Challenge to the Fjordsearlier this year. While there is still some distance to go before we see any real change at societal level, as a company we want to promote the importance of open communication around mental health – something that is as applicable to the workplace as it is to one’s personal life.

Work-related stresscan be a factor in poor mental health. When left untreated, this can lead to burnout, anxiety, and other mental health problems – for which, again,men are much less likely to seek assistance in the workplace.Warning signscan include withdrawal, reduced performance, and increased irritability, among other factors. As such, it is more important than ever for employers to provide resources such as employee assistance programmes (EAPs), and to foster inclusive, supportive working environments.

The rhythm of working life is frequently fast paced, especially in dynamic industries that rely on stellar attentiveness and customer service. As an executive search firm, we know whereof we speak! It goes without saying, though, that promoting a healthy work-life balance is something that employers can do to help protect their staff’s mental health. This can mean everything from respecting holiday time and working hours without interruptions, to providing adequate resources and support internally as well as flexible work patterns, though of course there is no one set definition.

Hobbies also go a long way to helping with work-life balance. Everyone naturally has their own personal methods of destressing and separating themselves from the grind, whether it’s through reading, sport, or evenmotor racing!

For 2024, the theme of International Men’s Day worldwide is‘Positive Male Role Models’. The UK site, meanwhile, emphasises the following points:

Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys

Raising awareness and/or funds forcharitiessupporting men and boys’ wellbeing

Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity

In challenging and divisive times like these, promoting communication, positivity, and acceptance around men’s health and wellbeing is more necessary than ever – so join us in celebrating International Men’s Day today. You could volunteer or fundraise, organise a session at your workplace, or simply check in on a friend, relative, or neighbour. The possibilities are endless!

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