It’s Monday morning and the office is slowly waking up. Emails are being answered, coffee cups are being filled and casual chat begins to hum across desks. But not everyone is settling in the same way. You notice that Mark, usually the first to crack a joke or ask how your weekend went, barely makes eye contact. He mutters a short greeting and keeps his head down. Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it’s not.

In the workplace, signs of mental health issues in men are often overlooked or misunderstood. The cultural script that many men still follow, be strong, keep quiet, get on with it, makes it easy for warning signs to go unnoticed, even when they’re right in front of us. At MOHS, we believe that awareness is the first step to prevention. So let’s unpack what men’s mental health really looks like at work, why it matters and how we can all play a role in recognising the signs before they become something more serious.

Why does mental health awareness matter?

Mental health has for too long sat in the shadows of workplace health conversations. When we think about wellbeing in professional environments, the default tends to be physical safety, ensuring that people aren’t lifting boxes incorrectly or working too many hours without a break. But mental health is just as important. And when it comes to men, the numbers speak volumes.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, around one in eight men in the UK have a common mental health problem such as depression or anxiety. But that’s just the recorded figure. The real challenge lies in underreporting. Men are far less likely to speak up, seek help, or even admit to themselves that something’s wrong. This silence has real consequences: suicide remains the leading cause of death in men under 50.

So when we talk about awareness, we’re not just talking about being kind or ticking boxes. We’re talking about potentially saving lives.

What are the challenges men face in the workplace?

There’s a certain invisible armour that many men feel compelled to wear at work. It’s stitched together with phrases like “don’t show weakness,” “just power through,” and “man up.” These aren’t just throwaway comments, they reflect deeper cultural expectations that encourage men to suppress emotions rather than express them.

In the workplace, this often translates to pressure. Pressure to perform, to be dependable, to never crack. For men in leadership roles, there’s often an added layer: the belief that admitting mental health struggles could undermine authority or credibility. And for those in manual or physically demanding jobs there’s a perception that mental strain doesn’t belong in environments focused on physical output.

Add to this the stigma that still surrounds male vulnerability and you’ve got a recipe for isolation. Even when support is technically available, men may not access it. They might not want to be seen walking into a counselling session or taking time off for stress. Instead, they internalise it and hope it goes away on its own.

What are the early signs of someone having problems with their mental health at work?

The signs aren’t always loud. In fact, they’re usually quiet, easy to dismiss or miss entirely. But they’re there, if you know what to look for. Changes in behaviour are often the first clue. Maybe a normally punctual colleague starts arriving late, or someone who used to take pride in their work starts making uncharacteristic mistakes. Social withdrawal is common too, skipping lunch breaks, avoiding team chats, or seeming distant in meetings.

Then there are more subtle shifts: a loss of humour, a short temper, irritability where there used to be calm. It might show up in physical ways as well, like unexplained aches and pains. Often, these physical symptoms are the only signs a man will acknowledge. It’s easier to talk about a headache than a panic attack. It’s important to remember that these signs don’t always mean someone is struggling. But they do suggest that something’s changed and that’s always worth checking in on.

What can colleagues do to support male co-workers?

You don’t need to be a trained therapist to support a colleague. What you need is empathy, patience, and the courage to start a conversation. The most powerful thing you can do is create space where it’s okay to talk. This doesn’t mean asking intrusive questions or trying to diagnose someone. It might be as simple as saying, “You’ve seemed a bit off lately, is everything okay?” The goal isn’t to force a confession. It’s to let them know that someone’s noticed, and that someone cares.

Keep in mind that your colleague might not open up straight away. That’s okay. The fact that you’ve asked could plant a seed that leads to action later. And if they do talk, listen without judgement. Don’t rush to offer solutions or advice. Sometimes the most helpful response is just to hear them out and remind them that they’re not alone.

What can employers do to protect men’s mental health?

Employers have a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to shape the culture of mental health at work. That starts with visibility. Mental health shouldn’t be something that’s only mentioned during awareness weeks. It should be baked into policies, training and everyday conversations.

One of the most effective strategies is normalisation. Encourage leaders to talk about their own challenges and how they’ve dealt with them. When men see that vulnerability isn’t punished but accepted, it opens the door for others to follow.

Access to professional support is also key. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), occupational health services, and regular wellbeing check-ins can all help catch problems early. But they need to be promoted properly, with clear messages that it’s okay and even encouraged to use them.

Flexibility matters. Offering mental health days, flexible hours or adjustments for those returning from mental health-related leave can make a significant difference. It’s not just about policies, it’s about making sure people know they’re supported in practice, not just on paper.

The bottom line

Men’s mental health in the workplace is complex, but it’s not invisible. With a little more awareness, a bit more courage and a willingness to challenge outdated assumptions, we can start to spot the signs that something isn’t right. At MOHS Workplace Health, our mission is to ensure that mental wellbeing is treated with the same urgency and care as physical health. Because good mental health isn’t a luxury, it’s a foundation and everyone deserves the chance to thrive at work, including the men who’ve been taught to hide how they really feel.