How WorkScore is revolutionising men’s health

WorkScore is a workplace wellbeing program that uses surveys to collect data insights in five areas: work, body, fuel, fitness and mindset. And that approach is changing the way workplaces deal with men’s health, says WorkScore managing director Suzanne Deeming.

WorkScore shines a light on issues men are facing that they may not be comfortable talking about.

“What we find is men – and we can see from our stats – do put on a brave face,” Ms Deeming told The Wellness Daily Show.

“So in our stats, they’ll say, ‘I can handle my problems in life really well’. Yet, when we ask about anxiety, depression and stress at work, they are prevalent too.”

Men often feel pressure to hide how they might be feeling due to bravado, machismo, or the feeling that they have to be the support system or “rock” of their family and community. Complicating matters is the fact that men tend to have poorer diets and get less sleep than their female counterparts – both of which have major implications for health and wellbeing.

But using WorkScore, employers can get a deeper understanding of how their employees are feeling and take action to create a better environment for them.

“I know there’s opportunity there for men to reach out, but it would be great to be more proactive if workplaces could think about how they can have regular meetings, discussions and training around mental health, spotting the signs, what you can do to support yourself,” Ms Deeming said.

Ms Deeming also highlighted the success of events like Movember and International Men’s Day, which she says create opportunities for men to open up about their problems.

Men can also work on their mental health themselves by improving their lifestyle – men tend to drink and smoke more than women – and getting more sleep. And while WorkScore still has double the number of women making calls to counsellors, Ms Deeming is optimistic that men will soon start reaching out more.

“I think we’re making great headway,” Ms Deeming said.

“I think the awareness is happening, the insights, the stories we’re telling are really helping men to recognise that it’s okay to go and reach out for help when you feel this way.”

To listen to Suzanne Deeming’s full conversation with Wellness Daily senior writer Jerome Doraisamy, click below: