"This is the unpleasant tip of the men’s mental health iceberg and while, in recent years, much has been done to normalise men discussing their feelings, there’s still progress to be made."
The subject of ‘male menopause’ is somewhat controversial, with some in the medical profession finding the term itself unhelpful. Unlike female menopause, the male version is not based on physiological change and is viewed more as a mental health issue.
Although testosterone levels in men do decline as they age, this is usually a steady decrease from about the age of thirty, and in most cases doesn’t contribute to any of the symptoms associated with male menopause.
Instead, most symptoms relate to what used to be called a mid-life crisis, as psychological issues begin to affect men reaching what they might view as the halfway point of their lives. These can include stress, depression, and anxiety with other contributory factors likely to include irregular sleep habits, poor diet, lack of exercise, strain of work, excess alcohol consumption, and smoking.
"In basic terms, male menopause is the culmination of the stresses & strains of life-impacting men’s mental health as they reach middle age."
Whatever label we choose to place on the problem, the impact is clear. The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show 6,069 suicides in England & Wales in 2023, with around three-quarters being men. This is the unpleasant tip of the men’s mental health iceberg and while, in recent years, much has been done to normalise men discussing their feelings, there’s still progress to be made.
Although mental health issues themselves aren’t covered by a Life or Critical Illness (CI) plan, most modern policies include added-value services. In fact, all major insurers provide a dedicated customer helpline which can be used for various services, including support for mental health.
It’s always worth remembering that these services are non-contractual benefits, meaning that (in theory) they could be removed or altered at any time during the life of the policy.
"Therefore, added-value services aren’t elements around which a sale or recommendation should be centred."
However, making customers aware of these services is crucial - both in terms of the extra benefit which they might obtain, but also from a commercial & service perspective, since customers that regularly engage with added-value propositions are shown to be less inclined to cancel their cover.
"Services such as mental health helplines provide tangible, day-to-day use for otherwise long-term, rarely touched policies, and give advisers a great reason to stay in touch with their customers."
Whilst added-value services are often gender-neutral, there is no reason why specific emphasis shouldn’t be placed on value. For example, a message to all male policyholders in the lead-up to calendar events such as International Men’s Day, reminding them to talk about their mental health concerns and seek medical advice for anything physically affecting them.
We know all too well the danger of ignoring what may seem like trivial symptoms, be they physical or mental, leading to an escalation of an otherwise more easily treatable condition. My own experience earlier this year brings this point home very personally.
"My colon cancer was relatively easy to treat and had not spread to other areas, meaning I avoided chemo and radiotherapy. A delay in seeking help could easily have meant a terminal diagnosis."
The protection sector is capable of delivering positive outcomes for customers, whether or not they make a claim on their policy. We can also play our part in tackling men’s mental health issues, promoting the value of talking and taking action when all is not as it should be. Sometimes emotive words such as ‘menopause’ can be unhelpful when used in a male context, but being on hand to offer proactive, free support is of tremendous worth.
