International Men’s Day: Men’s mental health for better employee wellness

International Men’s Day: What it means for workplaces

International Men’s Day is observed globally every year to recognize men’s contributions, highlight men’s mental health, and encourage healthier, more supportive environments at home and at work. For HRs, it’s an opportunity to revisit employee wellness through an inclusive lens, where the emotional and mental well-being of male employees is acknowledged and supported.

When is International Men’s Day and why November 19?

• Date: International Men’s Day is celebrated on 19 November every year.
  
• Why this date? The day was chosen by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh from Trinidad and Tobago in 1999, honoring his father’s positive influence and promoting the need to celebrate men’s contributions in society.
  
• Global reach: Today, over 80 countries observe the day to highlight men’s mental health, equality, and positive role modelling.

Purpose and global significance

• Raising awareness about men’s mental and physical health challenges.
• Encouraging emotional openness and breaking stigma.
• Promoting equality and healthy expressions of masculinity.
• Recognizing men’s contributions at home, at work, and in society.

International Men’s Day 2025 theme

The theme for 2025, “Celebrating Men and Boys” encourages individuals and organizations to acknowledge the positive roles men play across their families, workplaces, and communities. It also emphasizes prioritizing men’s mental and emotional wellness, making it directly relevant to HR leaders building supportive work cultures.

Promoting International Men’s Day at work

• Share “Happy International Men’s Day” messages across emails, Slack, or posters.
• Host short wellness sessions, expert talks, or mindfulness workshops.
• Encourage gratitude notes or storytelling, highlighting male role models and allies.
• Organize “men’s circles,” peer check-ins, or well-being lunches.
• Share quick learning resources on stress, emotional health, and work-life balance.

Why men’s mental health matters in employee wellness

• Social expectations to “stay strong” or avoid showing emotion.
• Heavy workloads coupled with financial responsibilities.
• Stigma around seeking therapy or speaking openly.
• Higher rates of burnout, silent depression, and emotional fatigue.

Many men hesitate to seek help, leading to silent struggles that affect:

• Productivity
• Focus and decision-making
• Motivation and morale
• Team engagement

Also explore: Blog on Men’s Health Awareness Month.

Connection between men’s mental health and overall employee wellness

• Poor mental health can lead to absenteeism, presenteeism, and lower team morale.
• When men feel psychologically safe and supported, productivity increases.
• Healthy workplaces see higher engagement, trust, and team collaboration.

How organizations can support men’s mental health

Encouraging open conversations

• Normalize discussions about stress, relationships, and emotional well-being.
• Train managers to spot red flags and encourage help-seeking behavior.

Offering access to support

• Provide counselling, therapy support, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
• Host expert-led wellness workshops and stress management sessions.

Flexible work policies

• Reduce burnout by allowing flexible hours, remote options, and workload balancing.

Male allyship and positive role modelling

• Empower male leaders who openly discuss vulnerability and mental well-being.
• Celebrate role models who promote healthy masculinity.

Conclusion

International Men’s Day is a powerful reminder to support men’s mental health, not just for a day, but throughout the year. When organizations create space for openness, empathy, and mental well-being, teams become healthier, more engaged, and more resilient.

Want to build a mentally healthier workplace? Talk to our employee wellness experts today.