This year’s International Men’s Health Day theme is zero male suicide.

International Men’s Health Day is an annual observance held on 19^th November to highlight the importance of men’s health and well-being. The day aims to raise awareness about the challenges that men face in maintaining good health, and to encourage men to take steps to improve their physical and mental health.

Promoting positive role models for men and boys. This may be considered the basic first step.

Positive role models play a crucial role in shaping the lives of men and boys. They provide guidance, support, and inspiration, helping young men develop into healthy, responsible, and well-rounded individuals.

Positive role models can help young men feel good about themselves and their abilities. Boys with positive male role models are more likely to succeed in school. Hopefully then men avoid risky behaviours such as substance abuse and violence, develop healthy coping mechanisms and build resilience, and develop healthy relationships with others.

This can be achieved by highlighting positive male role models in the media and popular culture, create opportunities for young men to interact with positive male role models in their communities, encourage mentorship programs that connect young men with positive male mentors and celebrate fathers and other positive male role models in our lives. We should all hold men accountable for their actions and set a good example for young men.

What can you do? Be a good listener, be supportive, be honest, be respectful, and be a good role model.

Encouraging men to seek help for mental health problems is the next step.

It is important for men to seek help for mental health problems. Mental health problems are common and easy to treat, most people recover well with treatment. Mental health problems can interfere with work, relationships, and everyday life.

What can you do? Talk about mental health openly and honestly. The more we talk about mental health, the less stigma there will be around it. Learn about mental health and mental illness, the more you know, the better equipped you will be to help and support others, encourage men to seek professional help if they are struggling and let men know that you care.

Addressing the Issue of Men’s Suicide, the theme of today’s International Men’s Health Day.

Suicide is a major public health concern; it is a significant concern among men. Male suicide rates are higher than female rates. Why? Men suffer with mental illness but are often expected to suppress their emotions and avoid seeking help. 

What can you do? Raising awareness, increasing access to mental health care, and educating men about suicide prevention. If you are worried about a person talk to them about your concerns, listen to them without judgment, and encourage them to seek professional help.

Here are some ways you can celebrate International Men’s Health Day:

• Talk to a man about his health.
• Educate yourself about men’s health issues.
• Donate to a charity that supports men’s health.
• Organise an event in your community to raise awareness about men’s health.
• Take steps to improve your own health.

Raising awareness about men’s health issues is crucial for improving the overall well-being of men and reducing the prevalence of preventable diseases. What can our administration do?

Public health campaigns and educational initiatives. These need to be developed and implemented in a comprehensive way. Use various media channels to disseminate information about common men’s health issues, their risk factors, and preventive measures.

Encourage men to seek regular screening of preventable disease. Emphasise the importance early detection and timely treatment of men’s health issues. 

Provide accessible and culturally sensitive healthcare services. Create culturally sensitive healthcare environments that address the specific needs and concerns of men from diverse communities.

Partner with community organisations and men’s groups to reach men in their everyday settings. 

Leverage technology for outreach and education and develop interactive tools and self-assessment questionnaires to help men identify potential risks and take proactive steps to improve their health.

Encourage healthy lifestyle choices, promote healthy lifestyle habits, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and stress management techniques, to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Encourage men to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Address mental health concerns, recognise the importance of mental health in overall well-being and promote awareness about common mental health issues affecting men, such as depression and anxiety, and encourage men to seek help if they are struggling.

What can we do as a community? To create a more inclusive society for men requires a multifaceted approach that addresses various aspects of their lives, from education and employment to social norms and personal development.

Empower men to take charge of their health by encouraging men to become active participants in their healthcare decisions. 

Challenge stereotypes and promote positive role models. Celebrate positive male role models who embody healthy masculinity, empathy, and respect for others.

Address educational disparities and promote equal access to learning, ensuring equal access to quality education and to support their academic success. Address gender-based disparities in education and provide targeted interventions to address any achievement gaps.

Promote gender-balanced workplaces and inclusive employment practices by fostering workplace inclusivity and welcoming to men and boys, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Implement policies and practices that promote equal opportunities, fair compensation, and work-life balance for all employees.

Address mental health concerns and promote help-seeking behaviours by encouraging open conversations about mental health and reduce stigma associated with seeking help. Provide accessible and culturally sensitive mental health services to support men and boys who are struggling.

Promote healthy relationships and positive social interactions by encouraging respectful and supportive relationships among men and boys. Foster a culture of empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills to promote healthy social interactions.

Encourage participation in community and civic engagements, such as volunteer work. Provide opportunities for leadership and decision-making roles to empower men and boys to contribute to their communities.

Celebrate diversity and promote cultural understanding recognising and celebrate the diversity of experiences and perspectives among men and boys.

Address issues of discrimination and violence.

Promote responsible media representations and positive narratives by encouraging media outlets to portray men and boys in a diverse, positive, and non-stereotypical manner. Promote narratives that challenge harmful gender stereotypes and celebrate the contributions of men and boys to society.

Engage men and boys in the process of creating a more inclusive society. Actively involve men in discussions, initiatives, and decision-making processes related to creating a more inclusive society. Encourage their feedback, perspectives, and contributions to ensure that their needs and voices are heard and considered.

Encourage research and innovation. A lot of medical research is exclusively using middle age white men of western European descent, this neglects women and all men from other ethnic groups. We therefore have to question the usefulness of the results.

By implementing these strategies, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society that respects, values, and empowers men to thrive and reach their full potential.