Supporting Male Colleagues During Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week

June marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week, a time to shed light on the often-overlooked mental health challenges many men face. Despite growing awareness, societal pressures still discourage many men from speaking openly about how they’re feeling. At work, this silence can lead to isolation, underperformance, and worsening mental health.

As colleagues, we’re in a unique position to notice subtle shifts in behaviour and offer support in a meaningful way. Here are five signs a male colleague might be struggling with their mental health, and how you can help.

  1. Withdrawal or Changes in Social Behaviour

Men who are struggling may pull away from workplace interactions. They might skip team lunches, avoid small talk, or become noticeably quieter in meetings.

How to help:
Reach out with a simple, genuine message, for example: ‘I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit quiet lately, everything alright?’  Even if they don’t open up straight away, knowing someone is paying attention can be reassuring.

  1. Changes in Work Performance or Engagement

A drop in productivity, missed deadlines, or lack of focus could signal more than just a busy week. Conversely, overworking and refusing to take breaks can also be a red flag.

How to help:
Offer support rather than judgement. Ask if there’s anything you can do to ease pressure. If you’re able to do so, gently suggest taking a break or sharing the workload temporarily.

  1. Irritability or Sudden Mood Changes

Irritability, frustration, or an unusually short temper can sometimes be outward signs of internal struggle. Because men are often conditioned to avoid expressing vulnerability, these emotions can come out in less obvious ways.

How to help:
Respond with empathy, not defensiveness. After the moment has passed, check in privately: ‘You seemed a bit stressed earlier, is everything okay?’ A calm, non-confrontational approach encourages openness.

  1. Physical Symptoms and Appearance

Mental health issues often manifest physically. Look out for signs like constant fatigue, significant weight changes, neglecting personal hygiene, or appearing run down.

How to help:
Rather than pointing out physical appearance directly, you could say something like ‘You’ve seemed a bit tired lately, are you getting enough rest?’ This opens the door without causing embarrassment.

  1. Frequent Jokes About Feeling Hopeless or Suicidal

Sometimes humour masks deeper pain. If a colleague repeatedly makes dark jokes or throws away lines like ‘What’s the point?’, don’t ignore them.

How to help:
Take these comments seriously. Start a conversation, and if you’re concerned, encourage them to speak to HR or a mental health professional. If you believe there’s an immediate risk, seek support from workplace mental health services or emergency resources.

 

What you can do as a colleague:

  • Normalise the conversation: Speak openly about mental health in the same way you’d discuss physical health.
  • Lead with kindness: Small gestures, asking how someone is, inviting them for coffee etc.
  • Signpost to resources: Encourage the use of employee assistance programmes (EAPs), mental health first aiders, or external charities like Mind, CALM, or Samaritans.
  • Be consistent: Support isn’t a one-off act. Follow up after your initial conversation to show you genuinely care.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is a timely reminder that mental health doesn’t discriminate, and neither should our empathy. By recognising the signs and showing up for each other, we can create a workplace culture where no one must struggle in silence.

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