MEN CALL ON EMPLOYERS FOR MORE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Almost one third of men (30%) don’t know[2] who to turn to for mental health advice
– Two out of five working men (43%) want2 that their employer offers more mental health support
A new study has revealed an alarming trend in men’s mental wellbeing at work. 43%2 of male employees want more support from their employer.
Bupa’s latest Bupa wellbeing index, released today, examines the challenges that men face when it comes to mental health.
Men’s mental health is impacted by a number of factors, including lack of confidence (27%), traumatizing life events (25%), being unhappy at work (20%), and relationship issues (21%).
Men don’t always know how to get help. Fewer than half of men with mental health issues have sought medical help. Less than one third have confided their struggles to their partners (30%), families (26%) and friends (24%).
Even worse, 37% of UK men[3] admit2 actively concealing mental health issues to their partners at home.
Two-fifths of employed men (43%) are asking their employers for more support in their struggles with mental health.
Bupa’s study shows that 65% of respondents agree2 that there is stigma around men’s mental issues. One tenth of the respondents who agreed even believe that stigmatisation has worsened[4] over recent years.
Bupa’s recent Need a Lift Campaign encourages men in particular to speak out about their health concerns. It also provides managers with guides on how to support men’s health at work and offers advice on workplace wellbeing.
Dr Naveen puri, medical director at Bupa, said that “we often find that men don’t talk about their feelings and emotions, but it doesn’t mean that they aren’t struggling with mental health.” Around three out of four men who commit suicide are men.
It’s vital that we encourage men to open up about their mental health and seek support when they need it. Mental health issues can be detected by signs such as low mood, feeling more anxious than usual, and difficulty sleeping.
Men can also show signs like being irritable or aggressive, having sudden outbursts, losing control, or taking risks. It’s a good idea if you recognize any of these signs and reach out and offer support and help to a colleague.
What you can support men who are struggling at work:
Encourage healthy working practices, like taking regular breaks and turning off email after office hours. Also, help people prioritise the workload.
– Encourage your child to talk to their GP about how they feel.
– Tell them if you have mental health first aiders at your workplace.
Refer to mental health programs or employee assistance programmes offered by employers.
Carlos Jaureguizar said that the Bupa Global Wellbeing Index shows the stigma surrounding men’s mental illness in the workplace. While many businesses are recognizing the importance of supporting employees’ mental health, the data shows that it is still the number one cause of long-term absences from the workplace in the UK.
Confidential support for men can make a big difference. Men may be afraid to talk to their family about their health for fear of being judged or deemed weak. Anonymous support and a place where they can speak freely can help them break down the barriers of old-fashioned male stereotypes. To retain their valuable employees, it’s important that companies support the normalisation of mental health conversations and offer confidential services.
For more information about Bupa’s corporate offerings, visit: https://www.bupa.co.uk/business/workplace-wellbeing-hub/mens-health/employee-resources
The original version of this article, Men Call on Employers for More Mental Health Support, appeared first on Human Resources News.
