As we mark Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s time to engage in a conversation that is long overdue in the workplace.
The narrative around mental health is shifting—but not fast enough. And for men, particularly, the silence remains deafening.
Mental health is not a gendered issue, but the way it is experienced, expressed, and addressed often is. Men are conditioned from a young age to be strong, stoic, and self-reliant.
These cultural norms don’t just affect personal lives—they seep into professional environments, shaping how male employees show up at work. They often show up stressed, emotionally isolated, and under pressure to appear unaffected.
Understanding the Landscape: The Hidden Toll
According to global mental health studies, men are less likely than women to seek help for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Yet, they are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviours, abuse substances, and, tragically, die by suicide.
In many countries, suicide rates among men are two to three times higher than among women.
In the workplace, these struggles are often masked as burnout, absenteeism, poor engagement, or even disciplinary issues. Rather than acknowledging emotional distress, many men absorb it until it becomes unmanageable. But the cost of ignoring men’s mental health is too high for individuals, teams, and organisations.
The Role of HR: From Policy Makers to Culture Shapers Resources isn’t just an administrative function—it is a strategic driver of workplace culture and employee well-being.
During Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, HR leaders have an opportunity to lead with intention, empathy, and innovation.
Let’s explore how HR can actively support men’s mental health in the workplace:
1. Normalise the Conversation Around Mental Health
One of the most powerful things HR can do is create an environment where talking about mental health is not only acceptable but encouraged. This begins with storytelling and visibility.
When male leaders are willing to share their personal experiences with mental health, it sends a powerful message that vulnerability is not weakness—it’s courage.
Actionable Ideas:
i. Organise internal campaigns with testimonials from male employees and leaders.
ii. Host webinars, panel discussions, or “mental health town halls” that focus on men’s well-being.
iii. Share resources and stories in newsletters or internal platforms to keep the conversation ongoing.
2. Offer Tailored Mental Health Resources
Men may be less likely to engage with traditional therapy or wellness programs, especially if they feel these services aren’t designed with them in mind.
HR can bridge this gap by diversifying mental health offerings to appeal to different preferences and comfort levels.
Actionable Ideas:
i. Introduce anonymous mental health apps or chat-based counselling services.
ii. Partner with platforms that specialise in male mental health, such as HeadsUpGuys or Movember.
iii. Offer coaching programs that integrate mental and emotional resilience training.
3. Equip Managers with the Right Tools
Managers are often the first line of defence when an employee is struggling, yet many feel ill-equipped to handle conversations around mental health.
It’s essential to train leaders to recognise early warning signs, respond empathetically, and know when and how to escalate concerns.
Actionable Ideas:
i. Conduct regular mental health first aid training for people managers.
ii. Provide conversation guides or toolkits for approaching sensitive topics.
iii. Encourage a “check-in culture” where mental well-being is a standard part of one-on-one meetings.
4. Create Safe and Inclusive Spaces for Men
While open conversations are important, not everyone is comfortable speaking in public forums.
HR can facilitate private, judgment-free spaces where male employees can connect, share, and support one another.
Actionable Ideas:
i. Launch Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) focused on men’s health and wellness.
ii. Host informal circles or “coffee chats” that provide a space for peer support.
iii. Encourage mentorship programs where senior leaders can model healthy behaviors and emotional openness.
5. Rethink Leave and Flexibility Policies
Work fatigue is one of the leading contributors to mental health decline. For many men, especially working fathers or caregivers, the pressure to perform consistently without pause can be overwhelming.
HR must ensure that mental health breaks are accessible, respected, and normalised.
Actionable Ideas:
i. Implement “mental health days” as part of regular leave entitlements.
ii. Encourage use of PTO for rest and reset—not just vacations.
iii. Promote flexible work arrangements to support work-life integration, especially for new fathers or caregivers.
6. Embed Mental Health into the Employee Lifecycle
Supporting mental health shouldn’t be a one-off initiative—it must be embedded into the entire employee journey, from recruitment to exit.
When mental wellness becomes a core element of the employee experience, it demonstrates long-term commitment.
Actionable Ideas:
i. Include mental health check-ins during onboarding.
ii. Integrate well-being metrics into pulse surveys and engagement tools.
iii. Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your mental health strategies and update accordingly.
The Bottom Line: Culture is the Ultimate Intervention
Men’s mental health isn’t just about offering a few resources or hosting a one-day event. It's about transforming the culture—normalising vulnerability, encouraging openness, and building systems of support.
HR professionals are uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. As we head into the weekend, let this Friday Read serve both as a reflection and a rallying cry.
Ask yourself and your teams: What can we do—starting today—to make our workplace more supportive for the men who may be suffering in silence?
The answer doesn’t have to be grand. Sometimes, it starts with a simple conversation, an open door, or a message that says, “You’re not alone.”
To learn more about CHRPK Jemima Ngode, click here to subscribe to her YouTube channel, Acing life with Jemmie
