Skip to main content

#KeepTalking – a new annual campaign around men’s health

This week, we’re launching our first annual campaign, to coincide with Men’s Health Awareness month. The #KeepTalking campaign aims to help tackle the stigma men face when seeking support and encourage men to speak openly about their experiences.

New data on men in engineering

89% of people working in engineering and technology are men. However, their specific set of challenges with mental and physical health is not often addressed directly. Recent research from Equal Engineers reveals that almost one in five engineers has lost a colleague to suicide, while more than a fifth have had to take time off work because of a mental health issue.

The report also found that over 89% of engineers with disabilities have one that is invisible to others, potentially making it even more difficult to ask for support in the workplace. This, combined with societal expectations and pressure for men to behave in certain ways, creates difficulty asking for help with mental and physical health issues.

Tackling stigma on men’s health

Foothold’s Trustee Richard Spalding said: “So many men find it so difficult to talk about their own health problems. Is it because we are worried how our boss might react, or what our partner might think of us? Or that we’ll be wasting the doctor’s time? Problems rarely go away on their own, and the worse they get, the harder they are to deal with. The more men start opening up, the more society will become used to it. Then we’ll all get the right help sooner.”

The #KeepTalking campaign will use support stories and testimonials from men in engineering to help tackle the stigma of asking for support. The campaign will emphasise the importance of opening the conversations around men’s health. Particularly some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

Other blogs

A graphic featuring a photo of blog author Andy Thornton along with his name and title (cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist)

The power of conversation

Andy shares why a simple conversation can be so powerful – and how really listening is so important

View post
Michael Hargreaves, author of How Foothold’s new Engineering Neurodiverse Futures programme can support you to achieve your career goals

How our neurodiversity support is helping neurodiverse engineers to live well and thrive

Our Communications Officer Michael explores how our neurodiversity support is making a difference to the wellbeing of neurodiverse community members.

View post
A graphic featuring a photo of blog author Andy Thornton along with his name and title (cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist)

Understanding empathy: how to be kinder to others

In Part 2 his 2-part blog series on empathy, cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist Andy Thornton explores how you can be kinder to others.

View post

Your stories

Simons story support in coronavirus pandemic image
This money will cover all our everyday expenses until the government funding kicks in or we can start working again. I think it’s just brilliant that there is somebody giving this kind of support. Simon Gaze View story
Alan overcoming illness
The financial support has alleviated so many problems for us. I can’t express how much it helped - it’s enabled us to live a life. Alan Monelle View story
molly counselling support
I feel like I have a safety net which reassures me massively. We still have stressful days, but I can manage them so much better than before. View story
sharon becoming a carer
The way we have dealt with the last 12 months is with a positive attitude, laughter and not being afraid to ask for help. Sharon Monelle View story