SorintWellness- November is Men's Health Month
Promoting Men’s Health in the Workplace: Why Awareness and Breaking Stigma Matter
Men’s health is a critical component of overall workplace wellness, but it’s often overlooked. Many men face unique health challenges that, if unaddressed, can lead to preventable health issues, reduced productivity, and lower quality of life. Creating a culture that prioritizes men’s health in the workplace can make a real difference in improving outcomes and reducing health disparities.This November, SorintWellness is promoting Men’s Health. In this article, we want to share a few reasons why we want to put the focus on men!
The Importance of Men’s Health in the Workplace
In the workplace, health isn’t just physical; it’s mental, emotional, and social. For men, who traditionally may not feel comfortable discussing health or prioritizing self-care, the workplace is an ideal setting to promote positive habits and break down stigma. Healthier employees are more productive, have higher morale, and are less likely to take time off due to illness. However, men are less likely than women to seek medical or mental health support, which can result in untreated health conditions that affect both their well-being and their work performance. November is Men's Health Month, a time dedicated to raising prostate and testicular cancers as well as mental health and suicide prevention. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. November promotes education on early detection, including the importance of regular check-ups and PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) screenings. Testicular cancer mostly affects younger men (ages 15-35). Awareness efforts aim to educate men about self-exams and encourage prompt medical advice if changes are detected. And last but not least, men's health includes mental health and suicide prevention. Men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues due to social stigma. Men's Health Month addresses mental health challenges, promotes mental well-being, and advocates for men to seek help when needed.
Addressing Stigma in Men’s Health
Many men have grown up with social expectations to be “strong” and resilient, which can translate to reluctance in seeking help, especially for mental or emotional concerns. This stigma often carries into the workplace, where stress, anxiety, and other challenges may go unaddressed. But unspoken issues can lead to burnout, poor productivity, and higher turnover, all of which affect a business’s success.
Raising awareness and normalizing men’s health discussions can help dismantle these barriers. Workplace wellness programs provide an ideal platform for these conversations, offering tools and support to encourage regular health check-ups, mental health care, and healthy lifestyle choices. When companies create a safe environment where men can talk openly about their health, they foster a culture that values well-being as a shared responsibility and not a sign of weakness.
The Role of Soft Skills in Men’s Workplace Wellness
Soft skills—such as empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence—play a crucial yet often underestimated role in supporting men’s mental and physical health. These skills are essential for managing stress, building healthy workplace relationships, and fostering resilience. However, men may face social or cultural barriers to developing or using these skills, viewing them as less important than “hard skills” traditionally emphasized in the workplace. Recognizing this gap, SorintWellness is dedicating a special episode of our Wellness at Sorint podcast to discussing the role of soft skills in men’s health, featuring Marco Porrovecchio from the RHPS sircle. In this upcoming episode, we’ll explore why soft skills are not only important for personal growth but are also vital for overall well-being, especially in workplace settings. For men, learning to develop and embrace soft skills can be transformational, helping them to navigate challenges, seek support, and build a stronger sense of well-being both in and outside of work.
Our podcast episode with Marco Porrovecchio will offer insights into the impact of soft skills on men’s health, especially in the workplace. By spotlighting this topic, we aim to encourage more men to consider how skills like empathy, communication, and openness to vulnerability can enhance their well-being and work performance.
How Sorint Wellness is Supporting Men’s Health in the Workplace
At Sorint Wellness, we believe that prioritizing men’s health in the workplace is essential. Through our programs and events, we are fostering a workplace culture that encourages everyone to focus on well-being, reducing stigma, and providing resources that can make a difference. This month, as part of our men’s health awareness initiative, we launched a digital pledge for “No Shave November” to encourage discussions about health and remind employees about the importance of regular check-ups. Then, on November 21st, we’ll ask everyone to send us selfies of their ‘no-shave’ experience. If you’d like to participate, make the digital pledge below:
https://6yyumr98t9g.typeform.com/to/yHJlktoT
Creating Lasting Change for a Healthier Workplace
Supporting men’s health in the workplace requires a commitment to awareness, education, and an open, stigma-free environment. Employers who champion these efforts will not only see improvements in employee wellness but also in workplace culture, productivity, and retention. At SorintWellness, we are dedicated to building a culture where everyone feels empowered to prioritize health and support each other, creating a more resilient, compassionate, and productive workplace for all.
If you have any questions or comments about this article or about health at Sorint in general, please write to us at sorintwellness@sorint.com.