Men’s Mental Health Month: Is It November? Dates, Signs and Where to Get Help (UK)

Is November men’s mental health month?

November isn’t an official men’s mental health month, but it is the UK’s busiest month for men’s health. Movember runs from 1 to 30 November 2026 and names mental health and suicide prevention among the causes it funds, alongside prostate and testicular cancer. International Men’s Day on 19 November adds a second focus.

When is men’s mental health month?

There is no single official men’s mental health month. In the UK, people usually mean November (Movember and International Men’s Day). If you’ve seen “June”, that is Men’s Health Month in the US and Men’s Health Week in the UK. World Mental Health Day, for everyone, is 10 October: see World Mental Health Day.

International Men’s Day 2026

International Men’s Day 2026 is on Thursday 19 November. The UK organisers keep the theme broad, “Supporting Men and Boys”, and say workplaces and groups can mark it in the week before or after. It’s a good day to check in on the men around you.

For the Movember rules, the 60km Move challenge and the health checks behind each cause, read our full guide: what is Movember and how to take part.

Why men’s mental health matters: the UK numbers

Men in England and Wales die by suicide at about three times the rate of women. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded 6,162 suicides registered in 2025: 17.5 per 100,000 men compared with 5.5 per 100,000 women. Men aged 50 to 54 had the highest rate, at 28.0 per 100,000.

The Mental Health Foundation says men are less likely to seek help for mental health problems and more likely to use alcohol or drugs to cope. So distress often shows up as anger, long hours, drinking more or going quiet.

Stress is often where it starts. Our guide to stress in men covers what it does to the body and sleep.

Signs a man may be struggling

The signs are often changes in behaviour rather than talk about feelings. Samaritans lists signs such as being restless, angry or tearful, not wanting to be with people, going quiet on messages, using alcohol or drugs to cope, talking about feeling hopeless or worthless, and changes in sleep or eating.

• Mood: irritable, short-tempered, flat, or losing interest in things he used to enjoy.
• Body: poor sleep, waking very early, no energy, unexplained aches, changes in appetite or weight. These are on the NHS list of depression symptoms.
• Behaviour: drinking more, gambling or taking risks, working all hours, cancelling plans.
• Talk: “what’s the point”, “everyone would be better off without me”, or giving things away.

iThe NHS says to see a GP if symptoms of depression last for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks. A rough patch that lifts in a few days is common; one that doesn’t is worth acting on. See low mood vs depression and burnout symptoms.

How to start the conversation

You don’t need the right words. Pick a quiet moment, ask how he is, ask again, then listen more than you speak. Many men find it easier to talk side by side, on a walk, in the car or doing a job together, than face to face across a table.

1. Ask twice. “How are you?” gets “fine”. “No, how are you really?” often gets the truth.
2. Use open questions. The NHS suggests questions that need more than a yes or no, such as “How do you feel about…?”
3. Listen, don’t fix. Take what he says seriously. Silence is fine.
4. Ask directly about suicide if you’re worried. Samaritans says evidence shows asking someone if they’re suicidal doesn’t make things worse, and gives them a chance to say how they feel.
5. Point to help together. Offer to sit with him while he books a GP appointment or looks up NHS Talking Therapies.
6. Follow up. A text a few days later shows you meant it.

If you’re the one struggling, telling one person is a strong first step. See also loneliness and signed off work with stress.

Where to get help

Free help is there 24 hours a day. Call 999 or go to A&E if someone’s life is at risk, for example they have seriously harmed themselves or taken an overdose, or if you don’t feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe.

Simple things that help

Everyday habits won’t fix a serious problem, but they help most people feel steadier. The NHS five steps to mental wellbeing are to connect with people, be active, learn something new, help others and pay attention to the present moment.

Alcohol deserves a closer look. The Mental Health Foundation describes it as a depressant: it gives a short-lived feeling of relaxation, and regular heavy drinking is linked to symptoms of depression. It also breaks up sleep, as our guides to alcohol and sleep and hangxiety explain. For ways to cut down without quitting, see damp drinking.

How to mark men’s health month in November

• Check in with three men before International Men’s Day on 19 November.
• Sign up to Movember: grow a Mo or walk or run 60km in the month. Our Movember guide has the rules and challenge ideas.
• Book a health check: men aged 40 to 74 in England can get a free NHS Health Check every 5 years.
• At work: a walking meeting, a “how are you really?” team chat, and the helplines on the staff noticeboard. See stress at work.
• Look after the basics: see our guides to supplements for men over 40 and 50 and magnesium for men.

Supplements and your evening routine

No supplement treats depression or replaces talking to someone. If you’re struggling, start with the help above. For men who are generally well and want a calmer evening routine, these are the products we make.

Next step

our Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex is a berry drink powder with 290mg of magnesium (77% NRV) per 4.75g serving, from magnesium bisglycinate and citrate, plus glycine and L-theanine. Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function and to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Add Magnesium Sleep Complex to bag See ingredients and reviews

Prefer a warm drink instead of a nightcap? The Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex is a reishi hot chocolate with 0.5g reishi, 0.5g maca and 0.3g cinnamon per 8g serving. It contains a little natural caffeine from the cacao. Add Reishi Cacao to bag

Subscribe and save 25% on your first order, then 20%. New to Evopure? Join our emails for 20% off a one-off first order. Free UK delivery over £45.

For adults who already use CBD, Flow CBD Oil is our daytime oil: broad spectrum CBD with ashwagandha and maca. 10mg of CBD is in about 0.2ml of the 500mg bottle (half a pipette is 17.5mg). Because it contains ashwagandha, it isn’t for anyone with a thyroid, liver or autoimmune condition, and don’t take it alongside another ashwagandha product. See ashwagandha side effects. Adults only.

The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.

iIf you take antidepressants or any regular medicines, check with your GP or pharmacist first. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Gift ideas for him are in wellness gifts for men.