Men’s Health: More Than a Moustache

Movember is best known for encouraging men to grow moustaches in November, but its mission runs deeper: to tackle the crisis in men’s health. In the UK, men are more likely to suffer from preventable health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, and are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.

A 2024 report by Movember revealed that 64% of men wait more than a week to seek medical help after noticing symptoms, and 39% die prematurely before the age of 75. These statistics reflect a culture where men often feel unable to talk about their health, especially mental wellbeing.

Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women, and stigma remains a major barrier. The UK Parliament’s 2023 POSTbrief on men’s health highlights that psychological factors, health-seeking behaviours, and social norms all contribute to poorer outcomes for men.

To address this, PAM Wellness offers targeted workshops and webinars such as:

• “What Makes Men Healthy” – exploring both physical and mental wellbeing

• “Reducing the Impact of Toxic Masculinity” - breaking stigma and encouraging open conversations

These sessions foster a culture of early intervention, emotional resilience, and peer support in the workplace.

Movember’s initiatives also encourage men to take action through campaigns like “Move for Mental Health”, where participants walk or run 60km to honour the 60 men lost to suicide every hour globally. Employers can support this by promoting physical activity, offering health checks, and creating safe spaces for men to discuss their wellbeing.

Women’s Health: Menopause in the Spotlight

October’s National Menopause Awareness Day brings attention to a life stage that affects millions of working women. With nearly 4 million women aged 45–55 in the UK workforce, menopause is not just a health issue—it’s a workplace one.

Menopause can cause a range of symptoms, including hot flushes, fatigue, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and sleep disturbances. These can significantly affect productivity, confidence, and attendance. A UK government report found that early and severe menopause often leads to reduced hours, increased sick leave, or even early retirement, particularly among women in lower-income roles. Despite this, many women feel uncomfortable discussing menopause at work. Research from Bupa and CIPD shows that almost a million women have left their jobs due to menopausal symptoms, and 17% have considered leaving due to lack of support.

Creating a menopause-friendly workplace doesn’t require sweeping changes. According to guidance from Acas and CIPD, effective strategies include:

• Training managers to talk and listen sensitively

• Flexible working arrangements to accommodate symptoms

• Risk assessments to ensure workplace conditions don’t exacerbate symptoms

• Quiet rooms and access to water to support comfort

• Open conversations to reduce stigma and normalise support

To help organisations implement these changes, PAM Wellness offers a comprehensive Menopause Support Service, which includes:

• One-to-one sessions via Teams or phone

• Psychological and emotional support for perimenopausal and menopausal individuals

• Strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue

• Workshops and webinars for both employees and line managers

This service promotes an inclusive culture where employees feel understood and supported, and managers are equipped to respond with empathy and practical adjustments.

Creating a Culture of Care

Health is a shared responsibility. Employers who invest in gender-specific health support see benefits in employee retention, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced morale.

Whether it’s through Movember-inspired mental health workshops or menopause support programmes, PAM Wellness helps

organisations build healthier, more inclusive workplaces.

By breaking the silence around men’s and women’s health, we can create environments where everyone feels empowered to thrive at work and beyond.

References:

1. Movember UK Report 2024 2. Movember Foundation, Move for Mental Health Campaign 3. UK Parliament POSTbrief on Men’s Health, 2023

2. UK Government Report on Menopause and Employment, 2022

3. PAM Wellness Workshop Catalogue

4. PAM Wellness Menopause Support Service Poster

5. Bupa and CIPD Menopause Workplace Survey, 2023 8. Acas Guidance on Menopause at Work