Out of sight, out of mind: the quiet crisis in men’s mental health

Mental health is finally being talked about more openly in the workplace. But when it comes to men, many still suffer in silence, especially those working in ways or environments where signs of poor mental health can be harder to spot.

While much of the conversation has focused on corporate wellbeing programmes and HR-led initiatives, these often miss a large segment of the male workforce, especially those who are self-employed, working alone or part of smaller businesses with limited resources or awareness.

The numbers behind the silence

Mental Health UK estimates that around 12.5% of men in England have a mental health disorder. That’s one in eight, at any given time. Yet men are far less likely to seek help than women. Only 36% of NHS talking therapy referrals are for men, according to the Mental Health Foundation.

That silence has consequences. In 2023, men accounted for 74.1% of all suicides in England and Wales, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death for men under 50. The harsh reality is that men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.

These aren’t just statistics they reflect fathers, sons, colleagues and friends who have reached breaking point, often without anyone realising they were struggling.

Life after lockdown and its lingering effects

The post-pandemic working world has changed the way we connect with one another. Hybrid and remote working have brought flexibility and convenience but have also weakened the day-to-day social interactions many relied on, particularly men who might not naturally talk about how they’re feeling.

Gone are the impromptu chats by the kettle or the after-work pint that might offer a small but crucial opportunity to check in with someone. In their place, we have structured Zoom calls and online catch-ups and whilst efficient they are rarely personal.

And for those working for themselves or in trades, agriculture, logistics or construction, where solo working is common, the opportunities to be seen or supported are even rarer.

How men cope, or don’t

Men often respond to poor mental health differently than women. While women may be more inclined to seek professional help or talk to peers, men are more likely to bottle things up. Instead of opening up, they may withdraw, become irritable or display riskier behaviours.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, men are nearly three times as likely as women to become dependent on alcohol and are more likely to engage in frequent drug use. These coping mechanisms may mask distress in the short term but only deepen the problem long term.

It’s also worth remembering that many mental health challenges aren’t rooted in the workplace. Financial pressure, relationship breakdown, bereavement or personal identity issues can all impact how someone behaves at work. But without an environment where it’s okay to speak up, these issues remain buried and dangerous.

The impact on business

Mental health problems don’t just affect individuals they affect teams, clients, performance and culture. Poor mental health is one of the biggest causes of absenteeism and presenteeism. In small businesses, the absence of one person, particularly a business owner, can have a direct impact on service delivery, productivity, revenue and profitability.

Culturally, it’s just as important. Organisations that avoid talking about mental health can breed a sense of shame or weakness around the issue, deterring people and especially men from speaking up. This silence can lead to increased staff turnover, reduced morale and poor engagement.

Spotting the signs and supporting the people

So, what should we be looking for? Signs of poor mental health can include difficulty sleeping, lack of concentration, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies and signs of anxiety or withdrawal. But in a remote or solo-working environment, these can easily go unnoticed.

Whether you’re an employer, team leader, co-worker or friend, simply checking in can make a difference. A phone call, a casual message or a relaxed one-to-one can give someone the space to open up.

But it’s not just about individual action, organisations can do more too. This includes:

• Creating a culture of openness where it’s okay to talk about mental health
• Training managers to spot signs and know how to support people
• Providing access to external support services or signposting people to charities like Mind, CALM or Samaritans
• Encouraging flexible work that supports wellbeing and work-life balance

It doesn’t take a big budget or an HR department to care about mental health it just takes intention, awareness and a willingness to act.

Time for a new approach

We also need to challenge the notion that seeking help is a sign of weakness. For many men, the pressure to ‘man up’, ‘get on with it’, or avoid looking vulnerable is part of the problem. We need to create environments, both in and outside of work, where it’s okay to say, “I’m not okay.”

Men’s mental health is a serious issue and too often, a silent one. If we want healthy, resilient people and strong businesses, we must treat this with the same seriousness as physical health and performance targets.

Because when men are seen, heard and supported, everyone benefits.