Mental health promotion in male-dominated workplaces: Perspectives of male employees and workplace representatives.

Abstract

The workplace provides an important setting to promote men's mental health, yet few studies have explored the gendered views of men and workplace representatives in male-dominated industries about workplace mental health promotion. Consultations with working men (N ϭ 23) and interviews with seven representatives from male-dominated industries in northern British Columbia, Canada were conducted. Findings highlight the impact of masculine workplace cultures on men's mental health and practices that limit men's disclosures about vulnerabilities, as well as discussions about promoting mental health. Within such milieus a healthy mind was viewed as vital for workplace safety. Participant recommendations focused on reducing stigma, promoting enjoyable activities, and creating sustainable efforts toward building social cohesion. Overall, efforts to promote mental health in male-dominated industries should be tailored for the unique needs of men and should include paid time to engage in wellness activities and positive strategies that facilitate group comradery. Given male-dominated workplaces in particular constitute unique contexts where adherence to masculine ideals is normed, the findings hold potential for advancing mental health promotion programs designed to reach men. Public Significance StatementIn this qualitative study, working men and workplace representatives provided insight into avenues for promoting men's mental health, including the need to reduce stigma, to capitalize on and build comradery, and to focus on enjoyable activities. These findings have implications for the development of workplace mental health promotion programs for men.

The Association Between Men’s Heath Behaviors and Interest in Workplace Health Promotion

“…In the present study, men who perceived their general health to be poorer as well as men who had higher levels of negative affect were more interested in activities related to managing stress. Here, it may be notable that we did not ask about "reducing" but about "managing" stress; recent qualitative research suggested the possibility that men may only talk openly about stress at work if they are perceived to be controlling it (Seaton, Bottorff, Oliffe, Medhurst, & DeLeenheer, 2018). The present results suggest that men who are likely feeling more stress are most interested in workplace activities related to managing stress.…”

Segmenting or Summing the Parts? A Scoping Review of Male Suicide Research in Canada

“…94,96 Specifically, industry-based training for all units, workers, supervisors and union representatives inclusive of crisis and safety plans with an emphasis on wellness can contribute to reducing workplace related male suicidality and suicide. 92,94,96…”

“…Similarly, the gendered dimensions of how male first responders can effectively work through occupational traumas warrants further investigation to norm mental health help-seeking as strength-based and men looking out for each other as a masculine value. 94 More broadly, the workplace can be an ideal setting for male suicide prevention with in-service coaching about stress and anger management, relationship skills, and conflict resolution to increase the likelihood of men effectively self-managing and seeking additional help to prevent a crisis. 95 Similar to the Montreal police program in the current review, 92 workplace wellness efforts demand multiple components including prevention strategies to build social cohesion among men and reduce help-seeking stigmas.…”

Masculinities and health scoping review: a report prepared for VicHealth

“…In a separate piece, Jewkes et al (2015b, p.118) engage specifically with Connell's (1987) much heralded hegemonic masculinities framework, and argue for interventions that "balance reflection on the power, vulnerabilities and oppression of hegemonic masculinity and positive aspects of men's aspirations". Relatedly, Seaton et al (2019) found approaches that leverage traditional (or hegemonic) masculine virtues such as physical strength, may be an effective way of engaging men in, for example, broader discussions of wellbeing, but warn against inadvertently reifying these norms. Though not directly related to healthy masculinities, Greaves (2014, p.792) found that the most effective tobacco control initiatives they studied were those that were informed by gender theory and sought to transform gender and social inequities as means of reducing tobacco consumption.…”