An overview into men’s health

The story of men’s health, whether they’re sixteen or sixty and beyond, is one about relationships. 

It’s not only about your relationship with the men in your life – be that family, friends, or co-worker. It’s also about men’s relationship with themselves: their physical, emotional, and mental health.

Building awareness for men’s mental health, let’s explore what these relationships look like and how to help them flourish.

In our survey of 1,000 UK men, 65% rate their mental health as ‘good’ or higher, according to our latest survey, with 25–34-year-olds rating the highest at 69% ^{Footnote [1]}. 

But it may be worth checking in with our older lads, as men aged 45-54 rate their mental health the lowest with nearly one in five (17%) rating it ‘poor’ or lower ^{Footnote [1]}.

So, what’s stressing them out?

What regularly makes men feel stressed?

The main things men feel stressed about, regardless of their age, are ^{Footnote [1]}:

• finances (33%)
• worrying about the future (27%)
• their own health (21%)
• their job (18%)

A quarter of men aged 16-24 say worrying about the future is one of their main stressors alongside having too much to do (23%). And for those aged 45-54, their partner and personal relationships are listed in their top 10 stressors (both 16%) ^{Footnote [1]}.

How does mental health stress affect work?

From difficulty concentrating and struggling to make decisions, to feeling overwhelmed and being forgetful, stress can limit our success at work ^{Footnote [2]}.  This could also mean changes in physical behaviour, such as ^{Footnote [2]}:

being irritable and snappy 

• sleeping too much or not enough
• eating too much or not enough
• staying away from certain people or places

And this could lead to work absence. Nearly two in five men (38%), according to our study, have taken a day of leave from work because of their mental health. More than half of those aged 25-34 (55%) have done this and nearly half of those aged 16-24 and 35-44 (47%) ^{Footnote [1]}.

Regardless of age, men’s mental health concerns could put a strain on their relationship with work. And this may be an opportunity to chat about what support they could use and how health insurance could help.

“If you were struggling with your mental health,” asks the survey, “would you talk about this to others?” In theory, most would.

Nearly three quarters of men (71%) would talk to someone if they were struggling with their mental health, our survey found. And while nearly half (46%), across all age groups, said they would speak with their GP ^{Footnote [1]}:

• nearly a quarter of men aged 16-24 are more likely to talk to close family members, which is more than any other age group. 
• more than a quarter of men aged 45-54 are more likely to talk to close friends about their mental health, that’s more than any other age group (27%).
• men aged 35-44 are more likely to talk to people online for support than any other age group (14%).
• men aged 35-44 are more likely to talk to their employer about their mental health than any other age group (9%).

How often do they talk about mental health?

But while they’re seemingly more willing to chat about mental health issues in theory, the reality may be more complicated.  

Of those surveyed, ^{Footnote [1]}

• more than a third (34%) never discuss their mental health with their employers. 
• almost two in five men, who are a parent or guardian, (37%) never talk about it with their children.
• more than one in five (21%) never discuss mental health with their family. 
• over one in ten aged 25-34 (11%) say they always discuss mental health with their employer while only 1% of those aged 55+ do so.

So, for some men, there may be a disconnect between whether they would (in theory) talk and whether they do (in reality) talk about mental health. And who they’re willing to chat with and where may also reflect generational comfort levels. 

Who gives the most support?

For those who decided to talk about their mental health worries, some support they received came out on top. Of the men surveyed ^{Footnote [1]}, 

• 80% found support from their partner as most helpful. 
• 78% found friends most helpful.
• 71% found support from family most helpful.

Be it exercise or sleep, and many activities in between, there are ways to help improve mental health.  

What activities could help?

Overall, for those surveyed, there are three main activities ^{Footnote [1]}:

• more sleep or having a better sleep schedule (31%)
• eating healthier (26%)
• having more hobbies or activities to do (24%).[KF10.1]

The most popular activities to combat mental health challenges for those aged ^{Footnote [1]}:

• 16-24 is going for a walk outside (29%)
• 25-34 is exercising (26%)
• 35-44 is exercising (32%)
• 45-54 is going for a walk (33%)
• 55+ is going for a walk (44%).

It may be encouraging exercise, a friendly throw-down of video games, or enjoying a walk that can support men’s positive mental health.

Breaking the silence and stigma around it

Although some men are finding ways to better their mental health, there are nevertheless concerns around stigma and suffering in silence. 

More than a third of men (35%) believe that men suffer in silence and that they don’t like to admit when they have a problem (31%). While one in five aged 16-24 believe men who openly discuss mental health are being good role models ^{Footnote [1]}. 

And perhaps it’s of little surprise with one in six men (15%) feeling more pressure than ever to look good, which is highest amongst those aged 25-34 (19%) ^{Footnote [1]}. 

But there is hope, with nearly one in five men (19%) recognising there’s more to be done when it comes to giving men the confidence to be open about their health and wellbeing.

“Shifting attitudes and behaviours around mental health doesn’t happen overnight”, says Dr Larissa Stevenson, Associate Medical Director at Aviva. “But there are small, practical steps we can all take that make a real difference. Simple five‑minute chats over a coffee break can help us check in with one another, and open conversations about the support available, whether through the NHS or workplace wellbeing programmes. Little steps can help make talking about mental health feel as normal as talking about our physical health.”

Can medical insurance help with your mental health?

This depends on the medical insurance. Some health cover could extend to mental health conditions, helping to pay the cost of treatments while giving general and preventative support. And some policies include mental health as standard while others give the option of specific mental health add-ons that cost more. Other cover gives the option of both. 

With NHS waiting times spanning anywhere from 6 to 18 weeks for mental health referrals, ^{Footnote [3]} one benefit of health cover is that you may be able to get treatment quicker for eligible mental health conditions.

Check out our article exploring whether mental health care is covered by health insurance, to learn more.

Common mental health conditions covered by insurers are: 

• anxiety
• depression
• eating disorders 
• substance abuse 

But it’s important to check with individual insurers about conditions they cover and whether they provide extra support, such as online resources. 

The relationship between mental and physical health is one of teamwork: they can thrive together and slump together. 

And men seem to agree. Nearly two thirds of men (64%) believe their physical health has an impact on their mental health. Younger men are seemingly more likely to believe this as nearly three quarters of men aged 25-34 (72%) agree, compared to just over half of those aged 55+ (54%) ^{Footnote [1]}.

How’s men’s physical health looking?

70% of men aged 25-34 consider themselves to have the best physical health, rating it "good" or higher, closely followed by 65% of men aged 35-44 and 59% of men aged 16-24 ^{Footnote [1]}. 

And physical health is also something on their minds as they worry, on average, 106 times throughout the year about it ^{Footnote [1]}.

Do men lead active lifestyles?

Overwhelmingly, across the ages, nearly three quarters (72%) of men believe they have a healthy lifestyle. Those aged 25-34 lead the team with over three quarters (79%) feeling they are actively leading a healthy lifestyle ^{Footnote [1]}.

Wanting to look good is one of the top reasons for those leading a healthy lifestyle for men aged 34 and under. But just under a quarter of men aged 25-34 do so to be good role models ^{Footnote [1]}.

How often are men checking their physical health?

Heart rate: ^{Footnote [1]}

• Just over a quarter of men never check their heart rate (26%).
• Men aged 55 or over are the least likely to check, with nearly a third (31%) never doing so. 

Blood pressure: ^{Footnote [1]}

• Over one in five men (21%) never check their blood pressure. 
• A quarter of men aged 35-44 never check their blood pressure. 

Cholesterol level: ^{Footnote [1]}  

• Nearly a third of men (32%) never check their cholesterol level. 
• More than a third of men (37%) aged 55 or over never check their cholesterol level. 

Weight: ^{Footnote [1]}  

• Nearly a quarter of men (24%) check their weight once a week or more. 
• More than half of men (51%) check their weight once a month or more.
• One in five men aged 45-54 never check their weight.

And while nearly a third of men (31%) have put off seeking medical treatment in the past year, 70% of men aged 55 or over seek medical treatment as soon as they feel unwell or worried about their health. Men aged 25-34 are most likely to put it off (40%) ^{Footnote [1]}. 

While 70% of men say they are aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer, only 30% correctly identified blood in urine as a potential sign. Likewise only a quarter (26%) are aware a weak urine flow and needing to pee more frequently, often during the night, (25%) can be symptoms ^{Footnote [1] Footnote [4]}.

It may not be surprising that some of the symptoms can be missed as more than half of men (58%) admit to not knowing what the prostate does or are unsure. Of those who say they are aware of the purpose of the prostate, only 30% were correct in saying that only male bodies have prostates. Rather alarmingly, more than two thirds of men aged 55 or over (68%) don’t know what the prostate does or are unsure, and this is the age group that are most likely to develop prostate cancer ^{Footnote [1] Footnote [5]}.

And it appears there is a lack of awareness around some of the facts about testing and treatments of the illness too. Only 9% of men surveyed correctly identified that you shouldn’t ejaculate up to 48 hours before a PSA test (prostate-specific antigen blood test) and only 7% know you shouldn’t ride a bike 24-48 hours before. One in five (22%) believe all prostate cancers require immediate treatment ^{Footnote [1] Footnote [6]}.

“There are still many misconceptions around the testing and treatment of prostate cancer”, says Aviva’s Associate Medical Director Dr Larissa Stevenson. “A physical examination, PSA blood test, MRI scan or even a biopsy can be used to test for prostate cancer. It’s worrying that so few men from our research knew that preparation for the PSA test includes avoiding vigorous exercise, like riding a bike, or ejaculating up to 48 hours before testing. Activities like these can naturally raise PSA levels.

Doctors may not always start immediate treatment for prostate cancer. They may decide to wait and monitor before starting a treatment plan. If you think you, or a loved one, are experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer, take some time to research into official health websites and consider booking an appointment with your doctor.”

Check out our article on prostate cancer to find out more. 

So, whether you’re checking in or just catching up over a cuppa, let’s make sure our menfolk’s health is flourishing – both physically and mentally.