This International Men’s Day, we’ve been leading efforts to shine a light on the importance of men’s health, wellbeing, and masculinity. It’s a reminder that supporting men and boys in our workplace and beyond is a shared responsibility.
The six pillars
International Men’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s an opportunity to reflect on how we can make a real difference. The day is guided by six key pillars:
- Promote male role models – celebrate inspiring men in our workplace and communities.
- Celebrate men’s contributions – acknowledge the meaningful ways men contribute to their families, work, and society.
- Focus on men’s health and wellbeing – shine a light on mental, physical, and emotional health.
- Highlight discrimination against men – address the challenges men face, including societal and workplace biases.
- Improve gender relations and promote equality – work together to create a balanced and equitable environment.
- Create a safer world for everyone – support initiatives that benefit all genders and make communities safer.
These pillars provide a powerful framework for reflecting on how we, as individuals and as an organisation, can make a difference.
Raising awareness
As part of the “Let’s Talk About Men” campaign, we’ve been sharing some key insights into men’s mental health:
- Men are less likely to seek help for mental health challenges.
- Loneliness and social isolation are significant issues affecting men’s wellbeing.
- Regular physical activity and meaningful social connections can have a transformative impact on mental health.
I encourage everyone to focus on simple yet powerful actions to improve their own wellbeing:
- Take time out – prioritise rest and recharge.
- Stay socially connected – avoid loneliness by nurturing friendships.
- Help others – doing good for others can positively impact your own mental health.
- Get active – physical health and mental health go hand-in-hand.
- Seek support – talking to someone can make all the difference.
A commitment to change
We’ve set ourselves an ABC challenge to reflect and take meaningful action this International Men’s Day with these suggestions:
Reflect on these questions:
- What can we do as an organisation to better support you?
- What will you do to improve your own health?
- What will you do to support your colleagues?
Choose a ‘Do’ and a ‘Don’t’:
Pick one positive action to commit to and one harmful habit to leave behind. I’ve encouraged individuals to share their choice with me or their team to make it official.
Take the challenge:
- Prostate Cancer UK’s risk checker – it only takes 30 seconds to check your risk level.
- Join the “Run the Month” campaign – be part of Team ABC as we collectively raise awareness and funds for men’s health.
Opportunity for staff to join Team ABC for men’s health
We’ve committed to taking this opportunity to come together as a team and make a difference. By forming ‘Team ABC’, we can support Prostate Cancer UK and take action to improve men’s health. Whether you’re running, walking, or simply spreading awareness, every effort counts.
This International Men’s Day, let’s celebrate the men in our lives, take action for positive change, and create a culture that supports the wellbeing of everyone. I’d love to hear your ideas, reflections, and commitments—together, we can make a real difference.
Richard Visick
Inclusion Champion – Men
Alliance for Better Care
