Each year, Movember encourages millions across Europe and around the world to rethink men’s health. It’s an initiative known for moustaches, fundraising and awareness campaigns, but at its core, Movember highlights a serious issue: far too many men are struggling with mental health challenges, often silently, and workplaces are uniquely positioned to help.

Why Movember Still Matters

Across Europe and internationally, the data remains stark.

• According to the World Health Organization, around 703,000 people die by suicide every year, with men accounting for roughly three-quarters of those deaths in high-income countries.

• In the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50.

• EU studies, including research supported by the European Commission, show that men are significantly less likely than women to seek psychological support, often delaying help until a crisis point.

Movember’s 2024/2025 reports also highlight patterns seen across Europe: men frequently experience social isolation, high stress, and reluctance to reach out, all factors that impact wellbeing and performance at work.

Why Workplaces Play a Critical Role

Most men spend a large portion of their week at work, making the workplace one of the most influential environments for early intervention and reducing stigma.

Research from Eurofound shows that positive working environments, supportive managers, flexible structures, and open dialogue, can significantly reduce stress-related absences and improve overall wellbeing.

Workplaces that proactively support mental health see benefits across the board:

• Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism

• Lower staff turnover

• Improved productivity and engagement

• Stronger team culture

For employers navigating hybrid models, staffing pressures, and increasing mental health challenges post-pandemic, supporting men’s wellbeing is not just the right thing to do, it is an operational advantage.

What Men Say They Need

Research from Movember and the Mental Health Foundation points to several themes:

• Clear, approachable communication about support options, not buried in HR policy documents

• Informal check-ins and psychologically safe environments

• Flexible working arrangements to manage stress, attend appointments and balance family responsibilities

• Normalisation of mental-health conversations at all organisational levels

Many men report that they avoid seeking help due to fears of judgement or appearing weak, a cultural challenge workplaces can directly influence.

How Organisations Can Support Movember

Employers can play a major role by embedding small but meaningful practices:

• Encourage open, stigma-free conversation, especially from leadership

• Promote existing support systems such as EAPs and mental-health pathways

• Provide quiet rooms, wellbeing spaces or decompression zones

• Train managers to recognise signs of burnout or distress

• Support flexible hours and reasonable adjustments for mental-health needs

• Run Movember activities, but commit to sustaining support year-round

Movember is a moment many organisations use to start conversations, but the greatest impact happens when those conversations continue. As global mental-health trends evolve, and as more employees demand meaningful wellbeing support, businesses across Europe and beyond have an opportunity to lead.

By creating supportive, inclusive environments, workplaces can help men reach out earlier, reduce stigma, and foster healthier teams. Ultimately, this is the heart of Movember: empowering men to speak up, seek help, and stay connected at work and beyond.