Each year, November is a significance moment for men’s health and wellbeing. Movember, known best for encouraging men to grow moustaches to raise money and awareness for health issues, has become a cultural phenomenon. And International Men’s Day on November 19th provides another vital opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by men across the globe.
In Ireland, where conversations around mental health have advanced significantly in the last decade, November offers a powerful moment to reflect, advocate, and take action for men’s wellbeing.
The Mental Health Landscape
Ireland has taken major strides in addressing mental health openly, yet men still face unique obstacles. Research consistently shows that men are statistically less likely than women to seek mental health support, despite facing high levels of mental health risks. Suicide rates among Irish men remain significantly higher than those among women, with young men particularly vulnerable.
In many rural communities, challenges are intensified. Isolation, economic uncertainty, and limited access to services can all contribute to mental distress. For others, financial pressure, housing insecurity, and workplace stress often play major roles. Across all demographics, stigma is still a hurdle. Many men grow up internalising the message that expressing emotional vulnerability is a weakness.
Movember and International Men’s Day challenge that narrative with a louder and more hopeful message- asking for help is a sign of strength, and mental health deserves just as much care as physical wellbeing.
Proactive Steps
Ireland has changed dramatically in its openness to mental health, but change must continue.
One of the greatest barriers men face is silence. Many Irish men still feel they must cope alone, whether because they fear burdening others, don’t want to appear weak, or don’t recognise their own struggles as legitimate. Asking a friend, colleague, or brother how he is doing can be the difference between coping and crisis.
Encouraging emotional expression in boys is just as important. Schools across Ireland have begun teaching emotional resilience, empathy, and communication skills. Supporting boys to express their feelings without judgement sets a foundation for mentally healthier men in the future.
This November, each of us can play a part in creating a healthier future for both ourselves and the men of Ireland:
- Check in with the men in your life.
- Encourage emotional honesty in conversations with boys and young men.
- Know the signs - Learn to recognise symptoms of stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
- Stay active - Exercise and outdoor time boost mental wellbeing.
- Limit alcohol – Alcohol is a depressant and can disrupts the balance of chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin and dopamine.
- Visit your GP - Schedule a medical, arrange a blood test and engage in screening services and programmes
- Reach out for support - whether it’s a GP, counsellor or trusted friend or family
- Challenge harmful stereotypes that suggest men must “tough it out”.
Importance of Initiatives
While Movember may be best known for sprouting a moustaches, the movement’s impact extends far beyond the hairy exterior. Movember has grown into one of the world’s largest men’s health campaigns, supporting programmes in mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
International Men’s Day also helps widening the conversation. It focuses not only on health but also on men’s social roles, identity, and emotional lives. The theme often emphasises creating positive role models, improving gender relations, celebrating contributions men make to families and communities, and addressing the challenges they face. It encourages reflection on how society raises, supports, and understands men.
This culture shift is crucial. When everyday conversations include mental wellbeing as openly as sport, weather, or work, men who are struggling become more likely to speak up and seek help.
If you are struggling with your mental or emotional wellbeing, Thrive can help you on your journey to better health. For wellbeing advice, contact the team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294.
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