Men’s Health Week is a global initiative to drive awareness and conversations about men’s health issues. In 2023 it runs from 12-18 June, with a focus on social connections and the impact of mental health on the overall health of men – not to be confused with International Men’s Day on 19 November. Read on for a summary on what Men’s Health Week is and how to check in on the men in your life this week.
How Did Men’s Health Week start?
While Men’s Health Week has been around in the U.S. since 1994, it wasn’t recognised internationally until 2002 by the World Congress for Men’s Health (only the second time it was held). At the event in Vienna, the congress made a declaration that would become the focus of men’s health week:
- Recognizing men’s health is a critical issue and that there are health issues which only affect men
- Promoting awareness of men’s approach to health
- Changing the way health care is provided to be more sensitive towards men’s needs
- Creating school and community programs which target boys and young men
- Connecting health and social policies to better pursue men’s health goals
As most countries celebrate Father’s Day in mid-June, the week leading up to this date was chosen to harness that attention for driving awareness of men’s health issues.
What is the 2023 theme for Men’s Health Week?
Each country runs their own initiatives and events for the week. In Australia for 2023, the focus is on “healthy habits” and identifying small changes that men can make to benefit their health and wellbeing, including mental health. It’s a fitting theme given that men are almost twice as likely to die from heart disease and lung cancer than women; 24% of men drink alcohol at a level that puts them at long-term risk (compared to only 10% of women).
But the week is not just about physical health only, but mental health too. 75% of people who die by suicide in Australia are men – double the rate of the national road toll.
The idea is for family, friends and communities to work together to find small, actionable habits to help men and boys take a proactive approach to their health and wellbeing, both mental and physical.
What can you do during Men’s Health Week?
There are a heap of IRL and virtual events being run during Men’s Health Week, including:
- Free Lunchtime Talks on: Eat, Sleep, Drink, Move & Connect, by Men’s Health Connected
Mon 12 – Thurs 16 June, 12:30PM AEST - Healthy Habits For Healthy Men by The Mens Table
Thurs 15 June, 12:30pm AEST
But given the social connections theme for 2023, one of the most important things you can do is open the door for some genuine conversation with the men in your life. Whether you’re a guy or a gal reading this piece, reach out to three men and connect over something different than what you normally would chat about. Some tips:
- If you can, avoid sending a text, DM or messenger chat. If you can, catch up in person – if not, a video or phone call is better than texting. Being able to hear each other’s voices, hear tones and notice body language is so important for strengthening relationships and having good conversations.
- Use your judgement – if you don’t think it’s the right time (or if you’re not the right person) to bring up mental health, don’t feel that you have to. Depending on the nature of your relationship, you can still chat about safer health-related topics like sleep, work-balance and lifestyle, stress, exercise and physical activity.
- Not sure how to open up a conversation? Lead with your own experience first – are you feeling tired, been trying to cut down on booze, just found a gym you love? Share how you’re feeling about your own health so it’s a two-way conversation. This isn’t an excuse to grill your mate about their health!
- Keep it judgement free! The goal of Men’s Health Week 2023 is to get men talking more openly about health issues so that they can create habits to benefit their wellbeing. which won’t happen if people feel shamed or guilty. Listen to each other, support each other, and…
- Encourage seeking out expert advice. Remember that it doesn’t need to be a life-or-death situation to be worth a chat with a GP or health professional.
