Supporting Men’s Health and Combating Loneliness

June marks two important awareness weeks that intersect meaningfully in the workplace: Men’s Health Week and Loneliness Awareness Week. Both offer a timely opportunity to examine how work environments can foster healthier, more connected employees; particularly for men, who often face stigma when addressing health and emotional wellbeing.

This month, it marked two important awareness weeks that intersect meaningfully in the workplace: Men’s Health Week and Loneliness Awareness Week. Both offer a timely opportunity to examine how work environments can foster healthier, more connected employers - particularly for men who often face the stigma when addressing health and emotional wellbeing.

According to the Men's Health Forum[1], 1 in 5 men die before the age of 65 and men are statistically less likely to seek help for mental and physical health concerns. With the introductions of remote and hybrid working for many businesses, this can sometimes intensify the isolation for those facing loneliness. For many, the workplace is the main point of social contact and that’s why employers both have an opportunity and a responsibility to make a difference.

Illustration of a person sitting on the ground with their hand on their forehead, appearing distressed. Behind them, a large silhouette of a head with tangled lines inside, symbolizing mental health or confusion.

Men’s Health Week focuses on raising awareness of preventable health issues and encouraging early detection and treatment among men. As an employer, you can offer the following:

  • Routine Health Check-Ins: Promote employee health screenings or offer time off to attend GP visits.

  • Open Conversations: Encourage your leadership team, especially male managers, to share personal stories around health to break stigma.

  • Flexible Work Policies: Usually deemed as a policy that aids only parents or senior members of staff, this is an opportunity to extend that flexibility to all different types of needs, i.e. managing health appointments or conditions that may require flexibility without judgment.

Addressing Loneliness at Work

Loneliness Awareness Week, created by the Marmalade Trust, reminds us that feeling disconnected can affect anyone regardless of how many meetings they attend. In male-dominated environments especially, vulnerability around loneliness is rarely discussed.

WWLD?

Creating Purposeful Connection: Go beyond social events. Encourage meaningful one-on-one conversations, mentoring, and buddy systems.

Psychological Safety: Build a culture where it’s okay to admit you’re struggling whether emotionally, mentally, or socially.

Supporting Remote Workers: Check in regularly with off-site staff and be mindful of employees who may live alone or be new to the team.

Here are also some useful resources:

Illustration of a woman with crossed arms surrounded by multiple women with flowing hair, set against a colorful, abstract background.

Mates in Mind: Offers a variety of mental health and wellbeing resources tailored for workplaces, with toolkits, posters, and guidance to support men's mental health.

Middlewood Partnership – Men’s Health Self-Help Resources: Provides self-help materials and links focused on men’s physical and mental health, including support for stress, anxiety, prostate health, and lifestyle changes.


NHS Professionals – Men’s Health Hub: A hub of trusted links and resources aimed at improving men’s health, covering topics like mental wellbeing, heart health, cancer awareness, and healthy living tips.

Men’s Health Week and Loneliness Awareness Week aren’t just about awareness. They’re about action. Use this campaign as a springboard to review your wellbeing policies, train managers to spot signs of isolation, and most importantly, normalise conversations that bring people together.