Men’s mental health in the workplace – is anyone listening?

Thirty years ago, while training to be a counsellor, I set up and ran a men’s group called ‘Men on the Hill’.

The eleven members met fortnightly, and by creating a safe, confidential space were able to share from the heart, experience being listened to, and learn how to listen to others. It ran for four years, and changed all our lives for the better.

That’s me in the back row, second from the right in the photo.

I now want to explore how men's groups can transfer to the workplace, and benefit both individual men and the organisations they work for.

The stereotype of the successful man in business is often someone who is relentlessly ambitious, self-reliant, and who suppresses their emotions.

While this can appear to drive achievement, it can also lead to a lack of authenticity, disconnection, and burnout. Men can feel trapped by societal expectations, and unable to express vulnerability or seek support, which can lead to mental health problems.

I’ve seen so many men in business struggle in silence — leaders, managers, and employees alike — that I’ve decided to launch Men Listening.

Men Listening organises and runs online men’s groups.

These are safe, supportive and confidential spaces where groups of eight men meet every two weeks for 90 minutes over ten sessions. They share their thoughts and feelings about work, and explore the tensions between who they are as people, and who they are in their organisational roles.

There are seven ground rules that all the men sign up to and a facilitator to ensure these are adhered to and that everyone feels heard.