World Menopause Day

When thinking about men’s mental health, it is clear there are significant issues that need to be addressed.

In 2023, 80% of suicides in England were men, with those aged 44-49 being most likely to die by suicide at a rate of 25.3 per 100,000.

In Wales, the highest suicide rate was found among males aged 30-34 years (37.6 per 100,000).

MIND’s 2019 report, ‘Get it off your chest: Men’s mental health 10 years on’, identified that 43 per cent of men surveyed admitted to regularly feeling worried or low. Almost two-thirds of those engaged in hazardous drinking are men, and men are more likely to drink alone.

New fathers experiencing perinatal mental health problems are 47 times more likely to die by suicide than at any other time in their lives.

Men in construction, an industry that is still male-dominated, are 3.7 times more likely to die by suicide than the national average.

Figures from the 2024 Workplace Health Report identify that over one in three men report unhelpful stress at work.

Creating a positive working environment

These statistics can make the situation sound very bleak and it needs to be taken extremely seriously. However, the good news is that there are plenty of businesses and other workplaces trying to create a positive environment for the mental wellbeing of employees of all genders.

As observed in the Harvard Business Review, “while there are many personal factors that can influence someone’s mental state, the workplace can be an incredibly triggering environment”.

There is a lot of ignorance around the menopause experience of trans and gender expansive people. Menopause can affect people of all genders. Transmasculine or non-binary people who are assigned female at birth also experience menopause if they are not on a masculinising hormone therapy regime. 

A workplace that strives to fully support people experiencing menopause is one that includes the trans experience.

How workplaces can help

Creating a supportive workplace starts by breaking the silence around menopause. Here are six steps that can help build a menopause-friendly environment:

• Training and awareness: equip managers and staff with knowledge about menopause and how to support colleagues who are going through it.
• Implement policies: clear guidelines on how to support employees during menopause can include flexible working hours and workplace adjustments like better temperature control.
• Menopause champions: designate individuals who can offer advice and support to colleagues dealing with menopause.
• Normalise conversations: open forums, wellbeing discussions, and a culture that encourages employees to seek help can make menopause a normal part of workplace conversations.
• Include trans people: be intentional in including trans people and their experiences when talking about menopause, use inclusive language, refer to multiple genders, work with the LGBTQIA+ community to create and share resources
• Flexible working arrangements: adjust start times, allow remote work, or offer extra breaks to accommodate those experiencing severe symptoms.
• Peer support networks: encourage employees to share their experiences and coping strategies in peer groups.

A business case for supporting menopause

Supporting menopause in the workplace is not just about doing the right thing; it also makes business sense. Organisations that offer menopause support have reduced absenteeism, improved retention rates, and fostered a culture of loyalty and productivity. 

By taking small, practical steps today, workplaces can create an environment where menopause is discussed openly, ensuring no-one experiencing it feels left behind.

Let’s make World Menopause Day the starting point for a lasting conversation – one that brings menopause out of the shadows and into the open. With the support of friends, colleagues, managers, and employers, we can all help create a compassionate, inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive at every stage of life.

Why not book a menopause awareness webinar with Charlie Waller Workplace to get started? 

Charlie Waller Workplace webinars

Let’s work together to make the workplace a more inclusive and understanding space for everyone.

References and resources

Menopause Support: menopausesupport.co.uk/?page_id=60

Menopause Friendly UK: Menopause and LGBTQIA+: Time for an Inclusive Conversation - MENOPAUSE FRIENDLY UKM

The Menopause Charity: themenopausecharity.org

Gender GP – What is menopause and who exactly is affected by it?: gendergp.com/menopause-gender-inclusivity-workplace/

CIPD Menopause Guide: cipd.org/uk/knowledge/guides/menopause-people-manager-guidance/

Menopause Matters menopausematters.co.uk

Menopause in the Workplace - How do hormonal changes effect the trans and non-binary community: menopauseintheworkplace.co.uk/articles/how-do-hormonal-changes-affect-the-trans-and-non-binary-community/