"Suicide is preventable. If nothing else this Movember, encourage employees to ask each other the question: ‘How are you?’, and then ask again: ‘No, how are you really?’"
- Debra Clark, Towergate Health & Protection
Towergate Health & Protection claims more employers need to be aware of the demographics that need the most support when considering their health and wellbeing strategies. Noting the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, Debra Clark felt that there may be an ‘invisible’ group of men in the later stages of their careers who are suffering and in need of support.
Movember involves growing moustaches to raise awareness of men’s mental health. The movement aims to increase both awareness of male cancers and start conversations about men’s mental health, particularly among those aged 45 and older.
Towergate Health & Protection believe this “invisible” demographic is made up of men who often face a combination of challenges including caring responsibilities for dependant children and older relatives. Relationship issues and divorce often happen at this stage, as do financial concerns surrounding mortgages, retirement and chronic or major illnesses.
“Particularly among men, there can be a tendency to avoid seeking help, hoping problems will just go away,” said Clark, noting that men are more likely to dismiss communications about their emotional wellbeing if they are not relevant at the time.
To help tackle these concerns, Towergate Health & Protection has proposed an action plan:
- Open discussion and encourage conversation regarding mental health to help remove any stigma. This is a simple option in the workplace and also cost-free.
- Implement, signpost, and communicate any existing relevant benefits, such as an employee assistance programme (EAP).
- Offer access to virtual GPs, as well as health screenings and second-opinion services. Boosting physical health can help to boost mental health, so benefits like gym memberships and lifestyle education on sleep and exercise are very beneficial for employees.
- Financial education, including retirement planning, will writing, and funeral planning.
- Offer specific mental health support ranging from talking therapies and cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) to counselling and psychiatrist-led treatments.
- Offer support to neurodivergent employees through a combination of face-to-face and online approaches, to suit the requirements of all personality types.
