When David finally decided he needed help with his mental health, he hit an unexpected wall. Not the internal barriers he'd spent months overcoming, but a practical one: where exactly should he turn? His company's Employee Assistance Programme felt too generic, his GP appointments were weeks away, and walking into a counselling centre felt overwhelming.
David's experience reflects a common challenge during Men's Mental Health Awareness Month and throughout the year. Even when men are ready to seek support, they often don't know where to start or which resources will actually understand their specific needs.
As employers, you play a crucial role in bridging this gap. By understanding and signposting the right resources, you can ensure your male employees don't just hear "help is available" but know exactly where to find it when they need it most.
Immediate Crisis Support: When It Can't Wait
Sometimes, men need help right now. These services provide immediate, confidential support without judgment or waiting lists:
Samaritans (116 123 - free from any phone) Available 24/7:
Samaritans offers a listening ear without judgment. Men often find it easier to open up to a stranger over the phone, especially during those 3am moments when darkness feels overwhelming.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) (0800 58 58 58)
CALM's free, confidential helpline and webchat run from 5pm to midnight every day for anyone who's struggling or needs to talk. Their online chat can be a good option if you find typing easier than talking, and their trained staff focus on listening, practical support and going at your pace, without pressuring you to open up in a way that doesn't feel natural.
Text SHOUT to 85258, available 24/7, text service
This free, confidential, text service provides in‑the‑moment support by message for anyone who is struggling to cope. As a digital, text‑based service, it often appeals to many men who feel more comfortable opening up via text.
Papyrus HOPELINEUK, 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967
A free, confidential suicide prevention service for those under 35 (including children and young people) who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, and for anyone worried about a young person. Trained advisers offer both emotional support and practical, safety‑focused guidance.
Ongoing Mental Health Support: Building Long-term Well-being
- Andy's Man Club: Free, confidential peer-support groups for men aged 18 and over every Monday at 7pm across the UK, with online groups available for those who can't attend in person (sessions don't run on bank holidays). There are no referrals, no fees and no need to book – you can simply turn up to a non‑judgemental space where men support each other through whatever they're facing. Many employers now signpost or promote local Andy's Man Club groups to their male staff as part of their mental health and well-being support.
- Men's Sheds Association: Community workshop spaces across the UK where (mostly) men get together for practical activities like making, repairing and repurposing things, while also enjoying company, conversation and a cuppa. There are now hundreds of Sheds nationwide, and many men say they find it easier to talk about how they're feeling when they're working alongside others on shared projects – a 'shoulder‑to‑shoulder' style of support rather than formal, face‑to‑face conversation.
- ManHealth: ManHealth is a North East–based men's health organisation that runs free weekly peer‑support groups for men, alongside talks, workshops and training for communities and workplaces. Their website offers male‑focused information and self‑help resources, including tools to help men reflect on their mood, stress levels and when they might benefit from extra support or a conversation with others.
- StrongMen: A UK men‑only bereavement charity that supports men over 18 who have lost a close family member, such as a partner, child, parent or sibling. Their services include one‑to‑one telephone peer support ("Man2Man"), access to bereavement counselling, and residential "Weekender" events that combine outdoor activity with space to talk and connect with others who've been through loss.
Digital Resources: Support in Your Pocket
Many employers now offer staff access to meditation and mental well-being apps such as Headspace, which include content tailored to performance, focus, sleep and stress management.
The Men's Health Forum is a UK charity focused on improving the health and well-being of men and boys, offering trusted information, campaigns, and online tools on topics such as mental health, stress, and lifestyle. Its digital resources and signposting can be a helpful starting point for men who prefer to read, learn and reflect privately before speaking to someone about how they feel.
Hub of Hope is a free national database that brings together local, national, NHS, charity, community and peer‑support mental health services across the UK, searchable by postcode.
State of Mind Sport is a charity that uses the power of sport – especially rugby league and other team sports – to raise awareness of mental health and promote "mental fitness" and resilience. They offer education sessions, campaigns and media content that frame mental health in the language of sport, which many men find practical, relatable and less stigmatising.
Specialist Support Services
Combat Stress
The UK's leading veterans' mental health charity, providing specialist clinical treatment and support for former members of the armed forces living with complex issues such as PTSD, anxiety and depression.
SurvivorsUK
SurvivorsUK supports men, boys and non‑binary people who have experienced sexual violence. It offers online and in‑person counselling, group support, webchat and information, all designed to provide a safe, non‑judgemental space for male survivors and those who care about them.
Movember Conversations
Movember Conversations is a free online tool that helps people practise and feel more confident starting difficult conversations about mental health, particularly with men. Using short, scenario‑based examples, it suggests practical prompts, questions and responses to help you notice when someone might be struggling and respond in a way that feels supportive rather than awkward or intrusive.
Making Resources Accessible: Your Role as an Employer
Simply listing these resources isn't enough. When men thrive, it shows across the business, so to truly support your male employees, you need to:
- Normalise Resource Use: Share stories of men who've used these services successfully. When employees hear that their respected colleague found CALM helpful or that a senior leader attends Andy's Man Club, it reduces stigma.
- Provide Time and Space: Allow flexibility for men to access support during working hours. A "well-being hour" that could be used for counselling appointments, support groups, or even just a walk can make the difference between accessing help or not.
- Create Resource Guides: Develop simple, visual guides showing different resources for different situations. Men often respond better to flowchart-style information that helps them identify the proper support quickly.
- Partner with Services: Invite organisations like Andy's Man Club or CALM to speak at your workplace. Direct contact with services makes them feel more accessible and less intimidating.
- Regular Reminders: Don't just share resources during Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. Regular, low-key reminders ensure men know where to turn when they need it, not just when campaigns are running.
- Train Your Managers: When managers can recognise the signs of a struggling team member and are comfortable approaching them to start a conversation, it gives men the opportunity to share what they're going through without them having to make the first move.
The Power of Choice
Different men will connect with different resources. Some will find solace in the anonymity of a text service, whilst others need the camaraderie of a men's group. By providing a range of options, you increase the likelihood that each man in your organisation will find something that works for him.
Remember, men often need multiple touchpoints before accessing support. The resource they notice today might be the one they call in six months' time. Consistent, varied provision of information creates a safety net for when it's needed most.
Transform Your Organisation's Approach
Understanding resources is just the first step. Creating a workplace culture where men feel confident to use them requires deeper change…
Build Confidence with Expert Training
Mental Health in Business offers Stronger Minds: Empowering Men's well-being - an evidence-based workshop that goes beyond awareness to create real change. This interactive session equips your team to:
- Understand which resources work best for different men and situations
- Practice supportive conversations that actually help
- Build confidence in signposting and supporting male colleagues
- Create workplace cultures where resource use is normalised
Through role-play, scenario exploration, and practical skill-building, participants leave ready to make a genuine difference.
Take Action Today
Don't let your male employees struggle in silence when help is available. Contact the MHIB team at info@mhib.co.uk or visit mhib.co.uk to book your Stronger Minds workshop.
Because knowing where to find help is the first step - but creating workplaces where men feel supported to take that step? That's where real change happens.
