International Men’s Day

It’s a day to:

• Highlight positive male role models in our families, communities, and workplaces.

• Raise awareness of men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and the pressures of traditional masculinity.

• Celebrate men’s contributions to parenting, education, community service, and the economy.

• Promote gender equality by recognising the unique challenges men face, from lower life expectancy to underrepresentation in certain support services.

In Ireland and the UK, men are statistically more likely to die by suicide, less likely to seek help for mental health issues, and more likely to work in high-risk jobs. IMD is a chance to break the silence and build a culture of openness, empathy, and support.

Workplaces can play a vital role in recognising and supporting male employees. Here’s how you can prepare for IMD 25:

• Host a lunch or coffee morning to celebrate IMD and open up conversations around men’s wellbeing.

• Invite speakers or run workshops on topics like mental health, fatherhood, or breaking gender stereotypes.

• Review, refresh or reissue your policies: Are paternity leave, flexible working, and mental health supports accessible and encouraged?

• Champion male role models who lead with empathy, integrity, and inclusivity – not just ambition.

Creative ways to celebrate male role models at work

01. ‘Men Who Inspire’ wall

Set up a physical or digital wall where employees can post photos and short stories about male role models – colleagues, family members, mentors, or public figures. Include quotes, achievements, or even funny anecdotes.

02. Role model awards

Host a light-hearted awards ceremony with categories like:

• ‘The Pure Dote’ – kind, helpful, always supportive
• ‘The Joker’ – full of fun, brings the laughter and the craic
• ‘Mr. Reliable’ – consistent and dependable
• ‘Steady Eddie’ – composed and trustworthy, even under pressure.

Let colleagues nominate and vote anonymously.

03. Lunch & Learn: Men who made a difference

Invite male employees to share personal stories or lessons learned from role models in their lives. Keep it casual – maybe over pizza or coffee. It’s a great way to build empathy and connection.

04. ‘Dad Jokes & Wisdom’ board

Celebrate father figures with a board (or email chain/sharepoint doc) dedicated to classic dad jokes and nuggets of wisdom. It’s fun, inclusive, and gets people smiling.

05. Podcast or video spotlights

Create short internal videos or audio clips where male employees talk about someone who shaped their life. Share them throughout the week leading up to IMD.

06. Reverse mentoring sessions

Pair younger male employees with more experienced ones for a casual chat about career, life, and values. Flip the script – let the younger ones lead the conversation.

Creating a workplace culture where men feel seen, heard, and valued benefits everyone.