From ‘manning up’ to opening up

Our society, many employers included, has made great progress in getting people to open-up and talk about mental health. But there’s still a way to go, especially for men. A certain stigma remains, not only around mental health problems but also aspects of men’s physical health.

Men have been founded to have lower levels of ‘health literacy’ than women. They are less likely to go to their GP or visit a pharmacy, or to acknowledge illness or seek help when they are ill or have health concerns. Perhaps because women are traditionally seen as caregivers, health is perceived as more of a feminine concern. Yet, men are more likely to have unhealthy lifestyles, heart disease, diabetes or die by suicide.

It's often through chance conversations that such health risks are picked up and escalated to the point that men get professional help. I know from the experience of friends and family that this saves lives. So, it was gratifying to play a part in raising awareness through our recent SUEZ panel discussion on men’s health.

Personal stories

As part of Men’s Health Month, we devoted our weekly SUEZ UK Wellness for All webinar segment to this neglected topic, paying particular attention to prostate and testicular cancer. One in eight men will develop prostate cancer, according to Prostate Cancer UK. That risk rises if you’re over 50, black or your father or brother had it. More than 52,000 new cases are diagnosed in the UK in an average year. Over 12,000 men die. For testicular cancer, the equivalent statistics are around 2,350 cases and 65 deaths.

What made this Wellness event (held on International Men’s Day, Friday November 3rd) so inspirational were the lived experiences shared. On the panel we had Chris, Storyteller for Macmillan Cancer Support (our national charity partner) and our colleague, Wayne. They shared the symptoms they had experienced, leading to their diagnoses. For everyone watching live or viewing the recording later, their stories were a potent reminder that behind each of those national cancer statistics is a human experience, and a reality that is happening to someone, somewhere, every day.

It was an absolute honour to host the discussion. Also on the panel was Chris Kelly, one of our Wellbeing and Inclusions Officers, and Dr Shaun Austin from our occupational health provider Wellness International. Our wellbeing advisor Simon Richardson of Goldentree chaired the discussion. I truly appreciated their contribution and those of our courageous storytellers and am thrilled that Wayne’s story has been shared as part of our CEO’s monthly video message to all employees

Health programme

Our joint aim was to break down what may be macho stigma around owning up to vulnerability by nurturing a more open, inclusive, and supportive culture around the subject of men’s health. And this event was just part of a wider SUEZ UK programme running through November and beyond.

The latest edition of our SUEZ Life employee magazine encouraged readers to ‘grow a mo’ to raise sponsorship for the Movember men’s health charity. Inside were moustache cut-outs for selfies to be shared in our internal social media Viva Engage group by male and female colleagues who make donations to the cause and promoting male health awareness.

Another Wellness for All webinar – on November 10th – focussed on mental health. It was anchored by psychotherapist Daniel Fryer. Colleagues also had the opportunity to book one-to-one session later in the month with Daniel to discuss their health and receive personalised advice and guidance.

Going to the doctor can be daunting for anyone (and sometimes difficult to arrange, given the intense pressures on the NHS). Our WeCare benefits package ensures employees, and their family members can talk to a GP over the phone at a convenient time for them. We should also not forget the advice that can be obtained from pharmacists. Indeed, it was a visit to a local chemist that steered a member of my own family to be checked out by their GP which led to their early prostate cancer diagnosis.

Health roadshow

Just over a year ago we launched our nationwide Health and Wellbeing Roadshow, taking occupational health professionals – along with our Wellbeing and Inclusion Ambassadors – to employees at a selection of our company locations.

Employees are invited to take a free ‘MoT health check’ for indicators such as body-mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose to score people’s cardiac and other health risks. We also carry out a lifestyle survey. The roadshows are for both women and men, but amongst other things, the questionnaire is designed to raise awareness of the symptoms of prostate cancer.

The health roadshows are an effective way of overcoming men’s reluctance to take the first step by taking the expert advisors to them. They can get a free health check or obtain advice while at work with little interruption to their working day or impact on their personal time. The sheer fact that the roadshows are taking place, gets valuable conversations started!

Based on the findings and feedback, we plan future wellbeing initiatives such as our latest webinars and our Men’s Health programme. But the more immediate aim is to prompt conversations about physical health and encourage action.

One of the key messages from the roadshows – and the main takeaway from our panel discussion – was that it’s important to “Get to know your own body, check yourself regularly, and if you do notice any changes, act promptly and get seen by a medical professional”.

Talking about concerns and worries can be a first step to making our own lives and those of colleagues, family, and friends healthier and happier.