With the Government’s call for evidence on England’s first-ever Men’s Health Strategy now closed (July 17), new research from Brightmine reveals that most UK organisations are still underprepared, with no formal men’s health policies in place across any organisation surveyed.
The study finds that while 69% of employers run at least one initiative to support men’s health, just 12% believe they’re doing enough - and uptake among male employees remains low.
Stephen Simpson, Principal Editor at Brightmine, comments: “While mental health and menopause support have gained traction in recent years, men’s health continues to lag behind. While the Government call for evidence closed on 17 July, the conversation in workplaces can’t stop. If employers want to be serious about inclusive wellbeing, they need to put men’s health on the agenda.”
Key findings:
- 0% of organisations reported having a standalone men’s health policy
- Just 8.1% include men’s health in another wellbeing policy
- Fewer than half (40.5%) of line managers are seen as equipped to support male staff with health concerns
- Top barriers include other business priorities, limited resources, and cultural stigma
- Only 17.6% report “reasonable” uptake of the initiatives they do offer
The research calls on employers to bridge the gap through:
- Policy development and clearer positioning on men’s health
- Better training for line managers and mental health first aiders
- Forums and peer groups to normalise open conversation
- Low-lift activities that encourage informal support, from webinars to walk-and-talks
