With the month of Movember upon us, it’s a good time to focus on an issue that affects far too many – men’s mental health. At Talk Works, we believe in empowering everybody to feel seen, heard, and supported, including men, who may find it harder to ask for help. In this blog we explore what the statistics tell us in the UK, how men might recognise when they need support, and practical steps workplaces can take to foster wellbeing.

Why it matters!

• In England, around one in eight men had a common mental health problem.
• Men are about three times more likely to die by suicide than women in the UK.
• In the workplace, over 190,000 UK men a year report stress, depression or anxiety caused or worsened by work.
• More than one in three men say they experience “unhelpful stress” at work.
• Mental health issues at work cost UK employers billions every year. Poor mental wellbeing is estimated to cost UK employers £42-45 billion through sickness absence, presenteeism and staff turnover.
• Despite the scale of the need, many men avoid seeking help because of stigma, or don’t know where to turn.

These stats show that this is not just a personal issue, it’s a social and workplace issue too.

Recognising when you might need support

It can be hard to know when things have gone beyond “just a rough patch”. The challenges men often face include:

• Feeling unusually fatigued, disengaged or unable to “switch off” from work or responsibilities
• Becoming more irritable, distant, using alcohol or other substances to cope
• Holding strong pressure to “keep going”, “be the breadwinner”, “not show weakness”
• Hesitating to talk about mental health or feeling that you have to deal with it yourself

If these sound familiar, it may be time to reach out. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a step of strength, self-respect and compassion.

What you can do:

1. Talk to someone you trust – a friend, colleague, manager or family member. You don’t have to deal with things alone.
2. Consider contacting your GP or mental-health services, even if it’s just to check in.
3. Explore resources tailored to men’s mental health (peer support groups, online forums, charities). We recommend Andy’s Man Club or Never Throw In The Towel.
4. At work, make sure someone knows how you’re feeling; ask about support, adjustments or flexible working if needed.
5. Ensure you’re getting decent rest, nutrition, exercise, and downtime. Recognise when “just coping” isn’t enough.

What workplaces can (and must) do

Workplaces have a crucial role in men’s mental health. They can either amplify the pressure or help create an environment where it’s okay to ask for help. Here are practical steps for organisations:

1. Foster a culture of openness

• Encourage leaders and managers to speak openly about mental health and to model vulnerability.
• Promote the message that mental health is as important as physical health.
• Offer training so managers recognise signs of distress, know how to respond and feel confident to have conversations.

2. Provide clear support pathways

• Make sure mental health support (counselling, peer groups or private therapy support) is visible, easily accessible and well-publicised.
• Offer adjustments where needed including flexible working hours, more predictable workload, quiet spaces.
• Check‐in regularly with male employees (and all staff) about workload, stress and whether they feel supported.

3. Remove stigma and excess pressure

• Review workplace policies that implicitly penalise taking time for mental health.
• Encourage work–life balance, discourage “always on” culture.
• Recognise that men may be less likely to ask for help and create outreach and safe spaces that feel informal and low-barrier.

4. Monitor and evaluate

• Collect data (anonymised) on mental-health absence, use of support services, perceptions of psychological safety.
• Use staff surveys to ask how comfortable men feel talking about mental health. 
• Use insights to refine your approach, invest where needed, and demonstrate that wellbeing isn’t just “nice to have” but integral to performance, retention and culture.
  

For the men reading this, you matter! Your mental health matters and you deserve to be supported, valued and heard.

For employers, leaders and HR teams, supporting men’s mental health isn’t optional. It’s essential. It reduces suffering, improves wellbeing, and means organisations are more resilient, engaged and humane.

This Movember, let’s do more than put a moustache on our posters. Let’s open the conversation, create safe workplaces, and make sure every man knows help isn’t far away.