Adam Hartley, Creative Director, Spreckley PR
International Men’s Health Week is observed around the world on June 10–15. First established in 1994 in the United States, the observance will spotlight the urgent need to address preventable health issues and close gender gaps, particularly regarding men’s mental health.
Why? Because men die five to six years earlier than women on average—mostly from preventable conditions like heart disease, cancer, and suicide. The World Health Organization’s last report on suicide, in particular, makes for sobering reading.
This is why it’s great to see initiatives like International Men’s Health Week highlighting men’s struggles with mental health. Too many men fail to get the help they need. There are many reasons for this: but speaking from experience, I think that men fear being seen as weak and vulnerable.
Too often we are still brought up and socialised to think that we can and should cope with anything that the world throws at us: relationships breaking down, losing loved ones, getting fired, struggling to pay bills, and all the rest of it.
Too many men continue to internalise these anxieties and traumas. And then – again, speaking from hard experience here – they always come back to bite us on the ass.
Why do we do this? Because we are told – by parents, by the media, by the culture at large – that expressing vulnerability and asking for help reveals weakness and a lack of strength. Nothing could be further from the truth. And it doesn’t matter why you are struggling. It is not “a competition of woe”, as a close friend said to me recently.
How to access talking therapies
I’m a huge advocate of improving awareness of and access to talking therapies for all, because I struggled for years with depression, anxiety, and addiction problems. And it took me way too long to accept and understand that I needed help, and then to learn how and where to access that help.
Talking to my male friends about mental health is still often complex, difficult, and uncomfortable. This is a sweeping statement but men, in my experience, are not as well equipped as women to express and talk about difficult feelings and emotions: grief, anger, sadness, fear, jealousy, anxiety and loneliness.
But we must learn to be better at this. If you are struggling and you can talk to friends, or family members, then DO THIS. Stop thinking that you need to cope on your own. And understand that you are not alone, these are universal and fundamental human feelings, emotions, and responses to being in the world.
If you cannot confide in friends or family, for whatever reasons, then talk to your GP. They can help you, by prescribing antidepressants (if necessary) and/or by signposting you in the direction of talking therapies that are available on the NHS available to all – which you can see more about here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/.
Waiting times for NHS talking therapies are often long, however. If you are unable to pay for talking therapy, then it is worth contacting The Samaritans or charities like Mind or CALM. Or, if you are struggling with addiction, you can easily find out about local Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings close to home.
Many employers are now offering mental health support to staff, via schemes such as those provided by companies like MYNDUP. These are a superb first port of call for many, and if your company doesn’t provide this type of support, lobby your HR manager to provide them.
If you are lucky enough to be able to pay for therapy, then go to the UK-wide Counselling Directory, and you can quickly and easily find a therapist or counsellor near to you who will be able to help you. And if you are confused about the many ‘types’ or ‘modalities’ of therapy on offer, then the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has a good simple guide on its website. (Hint, forming a good relationship with your therapist is far more important than choosing the right style of therapy, in my experience).
Finally, if you are suffering badly, and in a real crisis, then call 999 or head straight to your nearest A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. Your local hospital will have a team of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress.
Remember: you are not alone. There is always somebody to talk to.
Global action on men’s mental health
The global effort to spotlight men’s health is increasingly unified. Global Action on Men’s Health (GAMH), a UK-based charity, connects men’s health organisations worldwide in a shared mission to improve outcomes and promote coordinated action.
Here is a list of some of the events being held around the world for this year’s International Men’s Health Week:
- Australia: The Australian Men’s Health Forum is showcasing a record number of events. Activities include webinars on prostate cancer and stroke, mental health expos, walking football, community BBQs, and national campaigns all aimed at promoting prevention, connection, and visibility in men’s health.
- Canada: The Canadian Men’s Health Foundation has launched the national #NeverAlone campaign to address rising rates of stress, depression, and social isolation among men. The campaign encourages men to access free digital resources, join virtual mental fitness workshops, and share supportive messages on social media to create a national movement of connection and care.
- Germany: The Men’s Health Foundation (Stiftung Männergesundheit) coordinates educational campaigns on smoking, alcohol, and nutrition. Urologists offer public check-ups, and Men’s Sheds provide space for peer support and mental health connection.
- Ireland: The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland is highlighting the theme, “Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Connecting for Health”, thereby encouraging collective action to tackle men’s disproportionate burden of ill health. Activities are supported by the Health Service Executive and Public Health Agency, and include practical challenges, community events, and an interactive online game, Agent Mann.
- United Kingdom: The Men’s Health Forum is hosting public talks and training on masculinity and advocacy while urging the delivery of long-promised reforms. The Forum is calling for a dedicated NHS Men’s Health Strategy, and its new “Health Champion” modules and workshops aim to integrate men’s health into national health planning.
- United States: The Men’s Health Network sponsors both Men’s Health Month and Men’s Health Week. Men’s Health Week emphasizes daily themes such as mental health, chronic disease, workplace safety, and fatherhood. Community events, screenings, and public discussions take place across sectors, culminating on Father’s Day to honour men’s roles in family and society.