Let’s talk men’s health

Men’s Health Week (9-15th June) is back. Observed annually during the week leading up to Father’s Day, Men’s Health Week aims to raise awareness about the health challenges faced by men and promote strategies for better physical and mental wellbeing.

At Medigold Health, we know that workplaces have a huge part to play. With men making up almost half of the UK workforce, it’s crucial that we do more to support them-not just during Men’s Health Week, but all year round.

The facts we can’t ignore

In the UK:

• 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer
• 1 in 5 men will die before the age of 65
• Suicide the biggest cause of death for men under 35
• Three out of four suicides are by men-around 13 lives lost every day.

Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression also continue to affect thousands of men, yet stigma and societal pressure often stop them from speaking up or seeking help, so these figures are likely to be even higher.

Fortunately, many of the aforementioned challenges are preventable or manageable, but only if we create the right environment for men to speak up and seek support early.

How workplaces can improve men’s health

We spend a huge part of our lives at work. So, if we want to improve men’s health, the workplace is a great place to start.

Here’s how employers can get involved:

• Talk more openly about health
  Run informal sessions, team check-ins, or awareness days focused on common male health issues. Hearing colleagues and leaders share their experiences can break the ice for others.
• Use every day spaces for awareness
  Put up posters in men’s toilets highlighting signs and symptoms of conditions like prostate cancer or testicular cancer. It’s a simple but powerful way to raise awareness.
• Offer regular health checks
  A strong health surveillance programme helps catch issues early and shows your employees that their health is a priority.
• Review your policies
  Make sure you’ve got supportive, clear policies around time off, workplace adjustments, and mental health support. Most importantly, make them visible and easy to access.
• Train your team
  Mental Health First Aid and wellbeing training can empower colleagues to spot the signs of someone who might be struggling and offer the right support.
• Signpost support services
  If you have an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling services or a wellbeing platform-shout about it. Too often, these resources go unused because people don’t know they’re there.

We’re here to help

At Medigold Health, we work closely with businesses to put these kinds of solutions in place.

From mental health first aid training and workplace webinars to mental health support and proactive health screening, we can help ensure the men in your workplace are healthy and happy.

Want some ad-hoc support or advice? Then our flexible service, Medigold Pathway, is the perfect solution!

Whether you’re looking for a one-off referral or occasional assessments, Pathway gives you the freedom to access expert OH services when you need them, without a subscription, so you only pay for what you use.

If you’d like to learn more about any of the above services, get in touch here.