International Men’s Day is a way to highlight awareness for men’s health and mental health, as well as to promote gender equality and celebrate male role models.
The three core themes for International Men’s Day in the UK are:
- Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys
- Raising awareness and/or funds for charities supporting men and boys’ wellbeing
- Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity
These core themes help to address some of the issues that affect men and boys such as:
- The high male suicide rate
- The challenges faced by boys and men at all stages of education and work including attainment, re-training, redundancy and unemployment
- Men’s health (including male cancers), shorter life expectancy and workplace deaths – plus the health impact of Covid-19
- The challenges faced by the most marginalised men and boys in society (for instance, homeless men, boys in care, school exclusions and the high rate of male deaths in custody)
- Male victims of violence, including sexual violence
- The challenges faced by men as parents, particularly new fathers and separated fathers
- Male victims and survivors of sexual abuse, rape, sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based crime, stalking and slavery
- The negative portrayal of men, boys and fathers
Key statistics on the above can be found here
Mental Health Support at the University
With this year’s core themes in mind it is appropriate to draw attention to what mental health support the University has in place for helping its staff and students.
- Staff can contact the Employee Assistance Programme
- There is more resources by the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Support when you’re struggling (sharepoint.com) (for Staff)
- HR-T&OD Staff Training and EDI Forum Teams Channels are updated continuously with new material (for Staff)
- Students can contact Student Support & Wellbeing who can offer mental health support
In addition to the above the Talent and Organisational Development team has been developing specific training and support in this area, including: Mental Health Allies Programme and Wellbeing Toolkit. Further information coming soon.
Mental Health Charter Mark
Student Support and Wellbeing is leading the mental health charter mark work. They are currently reviewing their services and are now one of the founding members of the University Mental Health Charter run by Student Minds. The University is now on a 2 year journey, working towards accreditation for the charter award. This is a whole university approach and the University is looking for staff and students to be a part of the journey which will look at Mental Health across all areas of the University.
In the meantime, Mind have put together a short guide: Taking care of yourself and your staff which may be of interest/help. Further information also in Inclusive Employers website.
Fun Fact: International Men’s Day was founded in 1999 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh. He was a history lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad Tobago. Jerome Teelucksingh chose November 19 to honour his father’s birthday.