Men's Health Week: HR Strategies To Support Men’s Mental Health At Work

It’s Men’s Health Week (9 June - 15 June) this week which is an excellent opportunity for HR teams to tune into the men in your workplace, because the current men’s health statistics are pretty sobering. 

Six out of ten premature deaths are men. Over half of those are preventable.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 65.

On average, men live four years less than women. 

These statistics are tough to swallow.And given that men make up more than 60 per cent of full-time employees in Australian organisations, this week is a vital reminder for HR and managers to pay closer attention to men. Because chances are, someone in your workplace is struggling. That’s why it matters to look for the signs and check in with a simple, “R U okay?”

There’s still a lot of stigma around men’s health, especially when it comes to mental wellbeing. Traditional ideas about masculinity can stop men from opening up or reaching out. And unfortunately, that same silence often creeps into the workplace.

In this blog, we’ll explore why men’s mental health needs more attention, what challenges men face in the workplace, and what HR can actually do to shift the culture so men feel safer, stronger, and more supported in your organisation.

The importance 

Men still hold the majority of leadership roles across most industries, but that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily thriving. Many are struggling quietly, boxed in by outdated ideas of what it means to be successful, professional and indeed masculine.

And for younger men, the pressure starts early. From the moment they finish school (or even earlier), they’ve been fed the same story: be strong, stoic, don’t complain, don’t cry, don’t crack. Be self-reliant. Be a rock. These expectations don’t vanish when they walk into your organisation. In fact, most men usually tighten their grip around the barbell.

Managers are often the first line of defence. So train them to look out for some initial signs:

• Have they gone quiet or withdrawn?
• Are they unusually irritable, confused or flat?
• Have they lost interest in work?
• Are they dealing with major changes at home or work?
• Are there physical signs, like sleep issues, illness or fatigue?

These aren’t always obvious. And they’re rarely raised directly. But spotting the signs early can make a huge difference. When men feel supported, everyone benefits. Prioritising men’s health helps boost retention, productivity and team connection. When they’re well, they lead better. They contribute more. They stay longer. It’s just strategic HR.

The challenge 

These days, traditional ideas of masculinity are being turned on their head. Gender roles are shifting. Expectations are changing. And a lot of men aren’t sure where they fit anymore.

Most organisations offer mental health support. Your organisation might have EAPs, wellness apps and mindfulness sessions, which are all well intentioned. All useful. But research consistently shows that men respond differently to mental health support. What they do respond better to is support that feels practical, professional and led by colleagues. 

Men want spaces where they can talk it out. But not just ‘talk’, they want something that feels safe, relevant and not like a forced trust fall in a breakout room. If you’re just telling men to open up, without setting the scene or shifting the culture it’s not going to land. It can even backfire.

In the workplace, the ongoing challenge is that most leadership roles are still held by men. So we’re not just talking about an employee wellbeing issue. We’re talking about a leadership challenge. A cultural one. A business one.

If your male leaders don’t feel psychologically safe enough to say, “I’m not OK,” or “I don’t have all the answers,” then no one else will either. But when those leaders create space to be honest, when they model that vulnerability isn’t weakness and rather maturity, that’s when things shift.

We’ve seen the impact of men’s groups through R U OK and other organisations in Australia. When men are given the right setup and permission, they show up. They talk. They support each other. They heal.

So the real question isn’t if the men in your workplace are struggling but rather, have you created the right environment for them to thrive?

So what can HR do to create the environment for men?

The response 

You don’t need to change things to make a difference. But you do need to be deliberate. Here are some practical, people-first ways to support men’s health in your workplace, this week and beyond.

1. Break the stigma. Don’t lead with ‘mental health’ support, lead with resilience, performance, and growth. A lot of men are more open to support when it’s framed as building skills not digging souls. Talk about stress management. Focus on sustainable success. 
2. Get leaders talking. Ask ones who can put their hand up and say, “I’ve struggled and here’s what helped.” When vulnerability comes from the top, it gives everyone else permission to be real. 
3. Talk about lifestyle. Promote getting out and fitness throughout the week. It can be as simple as lunchtime walks, gym discounts, or friendly step challenges. Regular movement can have a major impact on stress and mood.
4. Check your culture. Does it reinforce norms like asking for help is being seen as weak? Are men subtly punished for showing emotion or needing flexibility? If the answer is yes—even quietly—reset the tone this week because culture eats policy for breakfast.
5. Real work life balance. If your organisation rewards hustle culture, men are more likely to fall into the trap. Encourage breaks. Celebrate boundaries. Make it clear that parental leave, sick leave, and mental health days aren’t career-killers and rather signs of a mature, supportive workplace.
6. Create spaces to talk. Bring check-ups into the office. Partner with local providers. Offer incentives. Sometimes all it takes is making things a bit more convenient for people to actually follow through on preventive health care. 

You don’t have to do it alone. If you feel like you need more support this Men’s Health Week and into the future, use the knowledge from great organisations doing the work. Bring their knowledge in-house. It adds credibility, saves you time, and ensures what you’re offering is actually useful.

Healthy Male – healthymale.org.au

Beyond Blue – beyondblue.org.au

Australian Men’s Shed Association – mensshed.org

Australian Men’s Health Forum – amhf.org.au

About us

Martian Logic helps HR teams create healthier, more connected workplaces with simple, scalable tools. From recruitment and onboarding to performance and engagement, our HRIS platform gives you the visibility and flexibility to support your people at every stage of their journey. We’re trusted by HR leaders who want to drive real change, not just tick boxes. Whether you're tackling burnout, disengagement, or barriers to mental wellbeing, we give you the tools to act quickly and meaningfully.