42% of men in the UAE would feel embarrassed addressing mental health issues, highlighting the importance of movements like Men’s Mental Health Month that are challenging stereotypes through honest conversations that encourage seeking support.
For men, self-sufficient and action-orientated problem-solving is preferred and consequently, emotional matters can be uncomfortable to pause and acknowledge. Mental and physical health are intrinsically linked, particularly in the context of adverse health diagnoses where there is no immediate intervention required and the healing process involves psychological support. Read on to discover ways to reduce stigmas, particularly within the workplace, and how employers can better support the mental well-being of their male team members.
How to spot the signs of mental health decline in men
Men often prefer to literally ‘work through’ emotional issues rather than raising and discussing them. This inaccurate and possibly subliminal belief is that by not dealing with the internal struggle, it will eventually go away.
However, research shows that negative feelings are experienced either way and require more effort to repress. So, perhaps some instances of burnout are symptoms of ignoring stress rather than the stress itself.
Other signs of mental health decline within men could include;
Irritability and mood swings
Difficulty concentrating and decision-making
Behavioural changes like a withdrawal from social activities
Understanding Mental Health in the GCC
Within the GCC, there are 2.58 psychiatrists per 100,00 people, which is much lower than the global average. This is even less within the UAE, where the number of mental health professionals per 100,000 people is 0.3. In addition, the UAE has the second most expensive price for therapy sessions in the world.
However, in recent years, substantial progress has been achieved in addressing social stigmas around mental health through various initiatives.
An example of this is The Al Jalila Foundation's advocacy of quality discourse around mental health, demonstrated by awarding journalist fellowships to “research, discuss and report on mental health issues”.
In Sharjah, awareness lectures on mental disorders were held for taxi drivers, a predominantly male-dominated field.
Why is it important to have these conversations in the workplace?
In a traditional 9-5 job, our days are spent mostly in an office. However, in a post-Covid world, it’s difficult to switch off from work at home when you are working from home. To men, it can already be an internal hurdle to brave the conversation but is even more difficult with the added constraints of physical distance.
Healthy employees are happy employees, and studies indicate that mental health initiatives resulted in a 23% increase in productivity, which benefits both employees and the company.
Research indicates that mental health challenges have affected two-thirds of GCC residents at some point in their lives. 72% of UAE residents would either seek or suggest seeking the help of professionals, with women being more likely to do this than men.
Companies in the GCC endorsing measures like company health insurance or tailored healthcare packages could translate into tangible financial benefits, as global research shows that every $1 invested in treatments for depression and anxiety yields a $4 return in enhanced well-being and performance.
How to facilitate an environment for conversations around mental health
The first step in encouraging employees to speak up about their mental health is creating an environment where they feel safe acknowledging and expressing their emotions, like an Employee Assistance Programme. This is true regardless of gender, but perhaps particularly for men as they are more likely to shy away from situations where they feel vulnerable.
This should be approached holistically. Externally, options could include access to a tele-health line that allows employees to reach out to a third party or a tailored insurance plan for those who rely on counselling for the treatment of pre-existing conditions, like depression.
Internally addressing issues can involve informal check-ins with employees over coffee or lunch, creating a relaxed environment that makes them more comfortable discussing concerns without the pressure of the workplace context.
Employees may not open up within the first meetup and therefore establishing a connection and relationship wherein the employee feels safe bringing issues to the table requires a long-term approach. For men, this is particularly relevant, as their brains are not naturally wired to immediately link thoughts and emotions and so there is a preemptive process that needs to occur.
Reaching Out & Resources
Studies reveal that four out of five GCC managers feel unequipped to talk about issues relating to mental health with their teams. However, within the workplace, it is important to facilitate conversations about mental health or at least provide an avenue for this to occur, such as providing supportive tools like on-site mental health consultations facilitated by a group insurance policy for employees.
Health insurance for companies such as Gulfcare offers a range of supplementary benefits, including nutrition and fitness programs, regular checkups, and round-the-clock access to multilingual telehealth consultations. This provides a holistic approach to supporting your employees in maintaining their physical and mental health, enabling them to perform at their peak in the workplace.
When it comes to protecting your employees' mental health, having the right support in place matters - and that starts with the health insurance you select for your employees. To learn more about how GulfCare can benefit your business, get in touch today.
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