Let’s talk men’s mental health

So, why do we need to raise awareness about men’s mental health?

A new study by Canadian Men's Health Foundation revealed more men are struggling with stress and depression. More than 60% reported getting professional mental health support and one in two don't have enough social support networks.

There are many reasons for this, but one of the biggest barriers is the perceived stigma around men’s mental health. And this barrier is showing no signs of breaking so there’s even more reason to get talking about men’s mental health.

And as the average Canadian employee spends around 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime, we need to talk about mental health in the workplace.

Men’s mental health at work is suffering

There are over 10 million men working in Canada today. And if approximately half of them are suffering, then something needs to change. But if men are unwilling to talk to their loved ones, can we really expect them to open up at work?

Encouraging discussions might be easier than you think. Majority of working men are urging their employers to provide greater mental health support. Here are some of the ways business owners can help their staff:

Be proactive

Your managers should keep an eye out for signs that someone is struggling. And sometimes they’re hard to spot. Men are as likely to become withdrawn as they are to lash out. If your managers are unsure about what to look for, or need a refresher on how to approach sensitive topics, take a look at our e-learning courses to support these so-called soft skills.

Check in on your teams

Mental ill health can cause a decline in productivity. You can check trends in work and begin a dialogue with performance management software. It’s another way to start a conversation and gives the chance to set reasonable goals with support from management. Creating an open culture will also reduce the risk of burnout, absenteeism and resignations.

Provide confidential support

There are practical ways you can support your employees and their families. Confidential counselling services via an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) are a way to provide third-party support.

Our leading EAP is available 24/7 for employees and their families. As well as crisis counselling, it provides support with financial wellbeing, smoking and gambling cessation, nutrition, sleep, and weight management. And it all remains completely confidential, so the employer doesn’t know who has accessed the service.

Mental health issues and health & safety

Increased risk-taking can be a sign of mental ill health. And keeping your teams safe is part of your duty as an employer. Make sure your risk assessments and documentation are up to date.

Our health & safety software will keep you on track, with document templates that are updated every time legislation changes, reporting tools, and 24/7 advice. So, if you’re experiencing an issue, there’s legal and HR support whenever you need us.

Policies and procedures

Although there’s no legal requirement in Canada for workplaces to have a mental health policy, you do have a legal duty to accommodate employees mental health requirements. A mental health & wellbeing policy will show your compliance with your duty to accommodate and your commitment to your employees.

How BrightHR can help

Mental ill health is a business risk. But much more than that, it’s a life-threatening risk to a large percentage of our male population. Here's a summary of the ways we can help you to safeguard your employees:

·         Sign up to an Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 mental health support

·         Get your health & safety documentation and risk assessments up to date

·         Offer E-learning courses to train your teams in mental health support, raise awareness, and open conversations

You can find all of the above, and more, under one roof with BrightHR. So, whether you have an employment issue in mind, a burning health & safety question, or need a document refresh, book a demo today to learn more about how we can support you.

Other Resources

Movember: raising awareness for men’s mental and physical health.

Canadian Men's Health Foundation: Providing awareness, tools and motivation to inspire men to live healthier.

HeadsUpGuys: Providing actionable self care tips, courses and information on therapy.

Canadian Mental Health Association: Supporting men's mental health, plus a helpline services.