Why men need mental health support, too

TALK IT OUT: In high-stress industries, such as construction, employees are less likely to acknowledge they need help with their mental health. One study found 83% of those in the industry (the majority of which are men) have suffered from a mental health condition. To address these needs, White Cap started a mental health employee resource group in March of 2023 to promote conversation, and the feedback was immediately positive from the nearly 10,000 employees on staff.

"From our CEO to every warehouse worker, we all have our own story, our own pain, and we come to work with it," says Ajay Patel, White Cap's senior director of HR planning and operations. "We want to acknowledge that we're all going through this human [experience] together."

Here's how the ERG is breaking down barriers at White Cap: This construction company is on a mission to destigmatize mental health

ACKNOWLEDGE A GROWING NEED: The CDC reports that of the nearly 50,000 suicides (out of 1.6 million attempts) from 2022, almost 80% were men. Men are less likely to talk about or seek help for mental wellness concerns, due to factors such as societal stigma and general lack of knowledge about mental health, and their conditions are more likely to go untreated.

"We need to redefine masculinity," says Dr. Joel Axler MD, FAPA , a psychiatrist and strategic benefits adviser with Brown & Brown . "It's OK to have connections with other males and show vulnerability."

Here are a few ways to get the conversation started: Employers can shift the dialogue around men's mental health

GET OUTSIDE: While it's become clear to many employers over the last four years that things like therapy, medication and changes to diet and routine may all be necessary to improve how employees feel, exposure to nature and mental health care are also strongly connected. It's important for employers to offer a nudge when establishing good habits.

"Offer incentives such as paid breaks that include outdoor activities like walks outside," says Dr. Jeff Yoo, a licensed therapist at Orange County-based Moment of Clarity Mental Health Center. "[Offer] green spaces in the workplace, such as a tree with picnic tables for lunch breaks, or a no-smoking area with plants and greenery for those who want to enjoy the outdoors on breaks."

Read more about the benefits of nature on mental well-being: Want to take care of your mental health? Get outside