International Men's Day, 2023

International Men’s Day, is a global day of recognition for men. It invites everyone to come together to celebrate men and boys in all their diversity.

This Sunday (19 November 2023) is International Men’s Day, a global awareness day which celebrates the positive value men bring to society, encouraging open discussions about men’s experiences and the unique challenges they may face.

The day also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about men’s health – both physical and mental. There is a culture of ‘manning up’ that is still prevalent in society today, and many men feel that there is an expectation for them not to be open about their emotions and how they are feeling. This can mean that some men can be reluctant to seek help when they need it. With suicide the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50, it is vital that this culture changes.

At Team North West Anglia we have lots of incredible men who work in a wide variety of different roles, and for International Men's Day we have put the spotlight on just a handful of them, who have shared some insight into their journeys in the NHS and their views on the importance of health and wellbeing. You can hear from them below:

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Zach Sheppard

Zach Sheppard

I’ve been working as a digital communications officer for just over a year now and find it really fulfilling to provide staff and the public with the information and support they need. Because my role is centred around engagement with people, I’ve seen and heard stories of incredible care given by members of our trust team and wider communities.

I’ve been fortunate to have had the influence of many good men in my life. And it seems prudent that on International Men’s day we should mention Mental Health. Mental Health is as important as physical health, but perhaps some men don’t often give it the same amount of consideration and care as looking after your body. I’m not entirely sure of the reasons for this, perhaps it is because it is less tangible than physical health, or perhaps some of us have some anxiety of addressing things we haven’t really fully processed or come to terms with ourselves. Maybe some of us are nervous about being vulnerable, we don’t understand the reasons. Maybe it is a mix of all of these things or something else entirely!

I am sure we have all felt the impact of Men’s mental health in our lives. Whether we have considerations consciously or subconsciously, whether they are as a result of upbringing, history or something innate, let us all make a conscious effort to create a personal and cultural change. Why not check in with a friend, or start an open conversation with a family member? If you are struggling with any mental or emotional challenges, why not decide today to take the first step and speak to someone you can trust? Building personal resilience and making cultural changes is a process that takes time and effort, but by taking small steps and focussing on the wins, we can bring about positive and lasting change. Looking back, I can recognise this in my life.