Men’s Health Week runs every year from 9th-15th June, aimed at raising awareness for men’s health and supporting initiatives to develop strategies within current health programs.
The theme from Men’s Health Forum states: “Men’s Health Week 2025: a strategic approach can make the NHS better without costing the Earth
We need a Men’s Health Strategy for the NHS. And a Women’s Health Strategy too.
The Government has promised both. We need to make sure they get it right. So for Men’s Health Week 2025, we’ll be talking about why we need in Men’s Health Strategy and what it needs to include.”
Visit the Men’s Forum Page for access to specific resources and to sign up for awareness initiatives: https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw
How to Support Men in Education: Busting Myths and Encouraging Action
Men’s Health Week is a crucial time to shine a spotlight on male well-being, and here in the UK, it’s a conversation we desperately need to have, particularly within our schools, colleges, and universities. We’re seeing a worrying trend: globally, one in seven adolescents struggles with a mental disorder, and alarmingly, suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35 in the UK. Three times as many men die by suicide compared to women. It’s clear we have a problem, and it’s time to bust some myths and encourage real action.
One of the biggest hurdles is the persistent societal expectation that men should “man up,” suppress their emotions, and handle everything alone. This outdated notion of masculinity is incredibly damaging, fostering a fear of vulnerability and making it harder for men and boys to admit they’re struggling, let alone seek help. This isn’t just about ‘feeling a bit down’; it’s a deep-seated issue that starts young and impacts men throughout their lives.
Reaching Our Boys in Schools
The seeds of mental health challenges are often sown in adolescence, making our high schools (pupils aged around 12-18) a critical battleground. While many mental health programmes have been gender-neutral, the evidence suggests this isn’t enough. Boys’ attitudes towards mental illness and help-seeking don’t significantly improve without tailored approaches.
We need to make our programmes gender transformative. This means actively challenging those harmful stereotypes of dominance, self-reliance, and emotional suppression. Let’s equip our young men with tools for a healthy, positive masculinity and teach them about the impact of gender socialisation. In short, it’s not enough to just separate boys and girls; the content needs to be specifically designed with their unique experiences and pressures in mind. We should co-design these programmes with boys themselves, ensuring they resonate and are culturally responsive, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.
Schools can foster a culture of well-being by integrating mental health education early on, normalising discussions, and creating safe spaces where boys can express feelings without fear of judgment. This could be dedicated counselling offices, peer support groups, or mindfulness practices. Training teachers to recognise signs of distress and respond with empathy is also paramount, as they are key figures in these young lives.
Supporting Our Male Teachers and Staff
It’s not just the students who are feeling the pinch. Men in teaching face significant stress. A recent survey revealed that 68% of male teachers felt work-related stress, with many experiencing insomnia and working in cultures that negatively impact their mental health. It’s time for male staff to ditch the “superhero cloaks” and the “manning up” mentality.
Leaders, especially, need to be brave enough to open up about their own struggles, showing that it’s okay to ask for help. Organisations like Education Support offer invaluable free, confidential helplines and resources for all UK education staff. Building reflective practices or supervision into professional routines can normalise conversations around men’s mental health, helping to spot issues before they escalate.
Remembering the importance of “Be Healthy” – encompassing physical, emotional, and social health – is vital. When times are tough, our physical health often suffers, and our social connections can be the first casualty. Maintaining exercise, even short walks, and prioritising quality time with loved ones are not luxuries; they’re necessities for well-being.
Navigating Higher Education: University and College Men
While there’s less specific UK-focused data on university-aged men, insights from studies abroad highlight similar challenges. Men often struggle to articulate their internal mental health experiences and may only address issues when they reach a crisis point or when prompted by others. The stigma is a huge barrier, with fears of being seen as inadequate or unmanly.
For this age group, “anchoring” mental health promotion within existing social activities like sports teams or hobbies can be incredibly effective. The primary draw is the activity itself, allowing mental health conversations or “self-management tools” to emerge naturally, rather than being the explicit, potentially stigmatising, focus. Integrating mental health into broader lifestyle interventions, like physical activity programmes, also shows promise.
This Men’s Health Week, let’s pledge to break the silence. Whether it’s through targeted education for our boys, open conversations among our teaching staff, or innovative approaches within our universities, we must create environments where men in education feel supported, understood, and empowered to look after their mental well-being. It’s not about being ‘strong’ alone; it’s about building a stronger, healthier community for everyone.
The Team at AMHIE
6th June 2025
Want more updates and access to resources? Why not join as an AMHIE member, visit our membership page to find out more: AMHIE membership
References:
Affleck, William, Victoria Carmichael, and Rob Whitley. “Men’s mental health: Social determinants and implications for services.” The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 63.9 (2018): 581-589.
Bilsker, Dan, Andrea S. Fogarty, and Matthew A. Wakefield. “Critical issues in men’s mental health.” The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 63.9 (2018): 590-596.
Cosgrove, Louise K., Elizabeth J. Edwards, and Lara R. Cosgrove. “Benefits and barriers: Improving boys’ mental health education in high schools.” International Journal of Educational Research 125 (2024): 102344.
Kilmartin, Christopher. “Being better and doing better: Men’s health and mental health on campus.” About Campus 22.2 (2017): 12-20.
Loving Life. “Men’s Health Week | What You Need To Know” 2024. https://lovinglifeco.com/health-and-wellbeing/mens-health-week-what-you-need-to-know/
Lynch, Louise, Maggie Long, and Anne Moorhead. “Young men, help-seeking, and mental health services: exploring barriers and solutions.” American journal of men’s health 12.1 (2018): 138-149.
Mates in Mind. “Men’s Health Week: 9-15 June 2025” 2025. Accessed 6/6/2025. https://www.matesinmind.org/training-and-resources/men-s-health-week-9-15-june-2025
Morgan, Darren. “Men’s Health Week: Supporting men in teaching”. 2025 Education Support. https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/resources/for-individuals/articles/men-s-health-week-supporting-men-in-teaching/
Patrick, Sarah, and Steve Robertson. “Mental health and wellbeing: focus on men’s health.” British Journal of Nursing 25.21 (2016): 1163-1169.
Teenage Mental Health “MEN’S HEALTH WEEK 2024 TALKING PROSTATES (AND EVERYTHING ELSE MEN’S HEALTH!)” 2024. https://www.teenagementalhealth.co.uk/blog/post/22109/mens-health-week/
VoiceBox. “How schools can acknowledge Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month”. 2023 https://www.voiceboxcic.com/post/how-schools-can-acknowledge-men-s-mental-health-awareness-month