For UK Workplaces: Movember, International Men’s Day & Year-Round
Men’s Mental Health at Work Workshop: What you need to know:
A practical men’s mental health workshop built for UK workplaces taking men’s wellbeing seriously. Specifically, this is the workshop most clients book for Movember (November), International Men’s Day (19 November) and Men’s Health Week (June) — plus year-round men’s wellbeing programmes. Practical, evidence-based, and built around the conversations men actually need to have.
What the workshop covers: “We Need to Talk About Men”
A 60-minute interactive workshop — not a lecture, not a stats dump, and deliberately not preachy. Built around three linked modules with reflective questions, real research, and honest conversation about issues most workplaces avoid.
Module 1: The challenges men actually face
We start with the data, because most people don’t realise the scale. In the UK, men account for:
- 74% of suicides
- 72% of people with alcohol dependency
- 78% of school exclusions
- 70% of murder victims
- 41% higher deaths from cancer
- A life expectancy 10 years lower than women (69 vs 79)
Then we make space for the emotional response the stats prompt. This is where most workplace sessions about men either skip past the reality or hammer it home defensively. We do neither. We name what’s happening, and we invite people to notice what comes up.
Module 2: How cultural norms around masculinity can be damaging
We use the Brannon Masculinity Scale (1976) — one of the most validated frameworks in gender research — to unpack the four pillars of stereotypical masculine conditioning that men still carry today. We look at where these came from historically, how they show up in school and work culture today, and the specific pressures they place on men — including the ones most likely to lead to burnout: the provider role, suppressing stress, not asking for help, competitiveness driving overwork, and lack of emotional support.
We also explore why men avoid emotional conversations even when they’d benefit from them — using the five common avoidance strategies (displacement, piss-taking, solutions, binge drinking, banter) — and what that costs men in friendships, relationships, and mental health.
Module 3: Ways we can support men to thrive
This is where the workshop shifts from diagnosis to practice. We cover what actually helps — for men themselves, for the people around them, and for workplaces:
Reflective questions we work through together
The workshop is genuinely interactive — Slido polls, group discussion, and personal reflection throughout. Questions we sit with include:
- What comes to mind when you imagine a stereotypical “manly man”?
- What did you see as typical male behaviour when you were young?
- How has this model of masculinity affected you?
- Who are your positive male role models — and what qualities do you appreciate about them?
- What’s one thing you want to do differently after today?
Every participant leaves with genuine reflection they can act on — not a poster to pin up and forget.
Andy’s approach — brave, non-preachy, and genuinely honest
What makes this workshop distinctive is Andy Hix’s willingness to hold the tension in the room. He’s clear about his caveats up front: he doesn’t speak for all men, we can’t cover everything in 60 minutes, and he’s not the “definitive manly man.” He addresses head-on why talking about men’s issues is difficult — including the political charge around masculinity, the pushback from both sides, and the male conditioning that admitting an issue is weak.
The workshop isn’t “whataboutery” — it’s “yes, and.” Men thriving is good for women too. That framing lets everyone in the room stay engaged, whatever their starting perspective.
Participants receive the reading list after the session, plus a summary of the key frameworks and reflection prompts to take away.
Clients who’ve booked this workshop:
Furthermore, awareness alone doesn’t shift this. Specifically, the workplaces that genuinely move the needle on men’s mental health invest in capability — manager training, conversation frameworks, the specific cultural permissions that let men ask for support. As a result, this workshop is built to deliver that capability.
The case for investing in men’s mental health at work
The data is sharp. Specifically:
- Suicide is the biggest cause of death in UK men under 50 — three-quarters of UK suicides are men, many of working age
- Only 25% of men experiencing mental health symptoms talk to a healthcare professional about it (compared to 33% of women)
- Men’s mental health is often invisible in workplace data because men don’t disclose, don’t take time off, and don’t engage with EAP services at the same rates as women
- The cost is structural — men’s mental health affects retention, performance, presenteeism and the wider workforce culture
When this workshop is the right fit:
Five moments where UK organisations most often book this workshop:
Movember (November) — the biggest commercial moment
Specifically, the most-booked moment for men’s mental health workshops in the UK calendar. Furthermore, the workshop maps directly to Movember’s mental health and suicide prevention pillar — one of the Movember Foundation’s three core focus areas. As a result, it’s the natural workshop for organisations running a serious Movember campaign rather than just fundraising and moustaches.
International Men’s Day (19 November)
Falls inside Movember. Specifically, organisations marking IMD often combine it with Movember as a single November programme. As a result, the workshop works as the IMD centrepiece, the Movember headline, or both.
Men’s Health Week (June)
The UK’s other major men’s health moment. Specifically, run by the Men’s Health Forum, typically the second week of June. Furthermore, lighter touch than Movember in most workplaces but still a natural moment to invest in men’s wellbeing capability.
After a workplace incident
Specifically, organisations who have experienced a workplace suicide or near-miss often book this workshop as part of broader response. As a result, the workshop framing shifts to emphasise capability, signposting and aftercare for colleagues.
As part of a year-round men’s wellbeing programme
For organisations with active men’s networks or ERGs, the workshop runs year-round as part of broader programme delivery. Specifically, many clients combine men’s mental health with Men’s Midlife Health and Prostate Cancer Awareness as a three-workshop annual programme.
This workshop pairs naturally with
For organisations building a wider men’s health offer, this workshop pairs with:
Suicide Awareness Workshop
AUDIENCE: Whole-team or managers · World Suicide Prevention Day (10 Sept) · Sensitive topic capability
Practical capability for recognising warning signs, having the safe conversation, and signposting. Specifically powerful alongside Men’s Mental Health given male suicide statistics — the September-November sequence (World Suicide Prevention Day → Movember → IMD) creates a coherent autumn men’s health investment.
Prostate Cancer awareness workshop
AUDIENCE: Whole-team · Movember pillar · Practical health awareness
Specifically maps to Movember’s prostate cancer pillar. As a result, organisations running a serious Movember campaign often book this alongside Men’s Mental Health to cover two of the three Movember pillars in one programme.
Men’s Midlife Health Workshop
AUDIENCE: Men 40-60 · Ageing workforce · Hormone health ·
Built specifically for men in midlife — the ageing male workforce, hormone changes, energy, mood and the wider midlife transition. Specifically valuable for organisations with significant over-40 male workforces
Or browse the full Men’s Wellbeing hub
For the full set of men’s health workshops, see our Men’s Wellbeing hub.
Sample men’s health programmes
Three configurations cover most buyer needs.
Half-day whole-team session (the entry-point)
For organisations marking Movember or IMD with a single focused investment:
- 60 min — Men’s Mental Health workshop (whole-team)
- 30 min — Leader-fronted close with concrete commitments
As a result, the workforce gets practical capability in one focused hour, plus visible organisational commitment.
Full-day combined investment (the Movember-aligned configuration)
The strongest Movember workshop programme
14:30 — 15:00 Closing: leader-fronted message on year-round commitment
9:30 — 10:00 Opening: leader-fronted comms on why this matters
10:00 — 11:00 Men’s Mental Health workshop (whole-team)
11:15 — 12:15 Prostate Cancer Awareness workshop
12:15 — 13:30 Lunch + optional Movember fundraising activity
13:30 — 14:30 Panel discussion or fireside chat (optional)
14:30 — 15:00 Closing: leader-fronted message on year-round commitment
Three-workshop September-November Autumn programme
For organisations wanting to anchor the full autumn men’s health calendar:
10 September — World Suicide Prevention Day: Suicide Awareness Workshop
Mid-November: Men’s Mental Health workshop (whole-team for Movember)
19 November — International Men’s Day: Panel discussion or Prostate Cancer Awareness workshop
What our clients say
The Men’s Mental Health talk was transformational! There is such good commentary around the office from people who joined too.
It was SO interesting and opened up some interesting discussions between my male and female colleagues. I’m definitely going to have conversations with the men in my life about how I can support them.
Listening to the speaker’s very open recounting of the issues he faced really resonated with me. It’s really nice to see men’s mental health being normalised more, and to see an environment that openly encourages sharing like this.
Looking for ideas first?
Researching what to do for Movember or Men’s Health Week before you book?
Specifically, see our Movember Workplace Ideas blog for activities, sample agendas and the workshops UK employers book most often. As a result, you research first, then come back here when you’re ready to commit.
BOOK A MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
Ready to plan Movember, IMD, Men’s Health Week or year-round? Tell us about your team and we’ll come back within one working day with a tailored proposal.
Men’s Mental Health Workshop at Work: FAQs
Is this workshop for men only, or for everyone?
Both formats are available. Specifically, the whole-team format is most-booked for Movember and IMD — it educates the wider workforce on men’s mental health and builds the cultural permissions that help men disclose. Furthermore, men-only formats work well for men’s networks, ERG launches or where the organisation specifically wants a male-only safe space. As a result, the workshop adapts to either context with light tailoring.
How does this fit with Movember specifically?
Specifically, the workshop maps directly to Movember’s mental health and suicide prevention pillar — one of the Movember Foundation’s three core focus areas. As a result, it’s the natural workshop for organisations running a serious Movember campaign rather than just fundraising. Furthermore, organisations often combine it with our Prostate Cancer Awareness workshop to cover two of the three Movember pillars.
What’s the difference between Men’s Mental Health and Suicide Awareness?
Men’s Mental Health is the broader workshop — covering male depression, anxiety, the cultural barriers that stop men talking, and the practical capability the wider workforce needs. Specifically, Suicide Awareness is the deeper sensitive-topic capability workshop — focused specifically on recognising warning signs and having the safe conversation. As a result, many organisations book both: Suicide Awareness in September for World Suicide Prevention Day, Men’s Mental Health in November for Movember.
Planning your booking and delivery
Can we deliver this virtually for global teams?
Yes. Virtual delivery is available globally — we’ve delivered men’s mental health sessions to teams in North America, Europe, the Middle East and APAC. Specifically, for distributed teams we typically run the same session twice in different time zones rather than asking everyone to attend one slot. Furthermore, recording is included by default.
What about combining with a panel or fundraising activity?
Yes — and this is particularly common for Movember bookings. Specifically, the workshop works well as the morning capability investment with an afternoon panel discussion or fundraising activity. As a result, the day combines awareness, capability and visible cultural commitment in one coordinated programme.
How far in advance should we book for November?
6-8 weeks ahead is standard. Specifically, November dates fill first because Movember spans the whole month — booking between mid-July and mid-September secures your preferred dates. Furthermore, 19 November (International Men’s Day) fills earliest as that’s the single most-booked date.
What does it cost?
Pricing depends on workshop count, format, audience size and whether you’re booking standalone or as a combined men’s health programme. Specifically, multi-workshop bookings (Men’s Mental Health + Prostate Cancer or Suicide Awareness) are priced more favourably than one-offs. Furthermore, organisations booking the autumn September-November men’s health programme get an additional discount. Book a discovery call and we’ll send a clear quote within 48 hours.
Most-booked Men’s health workshops
Men’s Mental Health Workshop
AUDIENCE: Whole-team or men-only cohort · Movember favourite · Practical conversation skills The signature 60-90 minute workshop on men’s mental health, the conversations men do and don’t have, and the cultural permissions that help.
Prostate Cancer awareness workshop
AUDIENCE: Whole-team · Movember pillar · Practical health awareness
Specifically maps to Movember’s prostate cancer pillar. As a result, organisations running a serious Movember campaign often book this alongside Men’s Mental Health to cover two of the three Movember pillars in one programme.
Men’s Midlife Health Workshop
AUDIENCE: Men 40-60 · Ageing workforce · Hormone health ·
Built specifically for men in midlife — the ageing male workforce, hormone changes, energy, mood and the wider midlife transition. Specifically valuable for organisations with significant over-40 male workforces