Men’s health crisis: why two in three men avoid asking for help

Two in three men in the UK avoid asking for help with their mental health, findings from Westfield Health reveal.

Cost-of-living pressures have made this worse, with financial worries affecting nearly half of men.

The reality of men’s health in the UK

Westfield Health’s report found:

• Over a quarter of men (25.8%) said their mental health had over the past year.
• More than two-fifths (41.4%) say these challenges hurt their work productivity.
• Money worries top the list of stressors for men, affecting 44.2% of respondents.
• Nearly a quarter (24.2%) of men experience burnout.
• Over one in ten (11.3%) are grappling with physical health issues.

Yet around 66.8% of men have not sought help in the past year.

When they do ask for support, most prefer to visit their GP (17%) rather than confiding in family or friends (8.4%).

Financial pressures affecting men’s mental health

The rising cost of living is taking a toll on men’s mental health:

• 68.6% of men are worried about their financial situation.
• Over half (50.9%) say high interest rates are a major concern.
• Nearly 36% are anxious about a potential economic recession.
• 30.8% fear the NHS may not be available when they need it.

The need for wellbeing-first cultures

Wes Streeting, the secretary of state for health and social care, recently committed to a “men’s health strategy” as part of the government’s ‘get Britain working’ plan.

In response, Dave Capper, CEO of Westfield Health, has pointed out that while more mental health support and NHS funding are welcome, we need a strong system for rehabilitation.

He said employers must prioritise employee health and create a ‘wellbeing-first’ culture.

Workplace wellbeing: a missed opportunity

Over one in four (27%) employees don’t have wellbeing support at work.

Even when resources are available, they often aren’t used – more than half of male employees with access to wellbeing programmes have never used them.

Vicky Walker, group director of people at Westfield Health, said:

“Men’s health is in crisis, and employers must take proactive steps to address the growing needs of their workforce. 

“The data shows that while some support is available, it’s often underutilised or doesn’t fully align with what men value most. Clear communication and better alignment of benefits to men’s needs can make a world of difference.”

A third (33.3%) of men took time off work in 2023 due to poor mental health, and 56.6% missed days because of physical illness.

What help do men really want?

Here are the top ten benefits men want:

• access to private healthcare (39.9%)
• 24/7 GP service (24.2%)
• health check-ups (22.1%)
• access to a gym (18.6%)
• mental health days (18.4%)
• health cash plan (17.6%)
• access to counselling (17.1%)
• mental health first aiders (12.8%)
• flexibility to manage their health (12.5%)
• access to other mental health support (11.7%)

The report says employers must offer proactive, tailored support and let men know what resources are available. Collecting regular employee feedback and aligning benefits with men’s needs can also make a significant difference.

Are money worries impacting your mental health?

Poor mental health and money worries can become a vicious cycle. Read our tips to help you manage your money and reduce financial stress.

Customers tell us it feels like a weight’s been lifted off their shoulders after speaking to us, so why not get in touch and see how we can help.

We give free and impartial advice, and can put together a realistic budget you can stick to, to help you take control of your money. 

If you’re in arrears, we can advise you on debt solutions online or you can give us a ring. Some solutions are free, others have a fee.