Men’s mental health: insights from Trivium’s global community

November is a time of reflection and action, a month when we rally together to support men's health, both physical and mental. This is expressed through initiatives like Movember, which is a global movement traditionally celebrated by men growing mustaches to bring awareness to subjects such as testicular cancer and men’s suicide. 

For Trivium’s Movember contribution, we reached out to men across our global team to share their wisdom and lived experiences on why this topic is difficult to engage with and how they maintain their mental health both as individuals and as leaders.

We hope their voices inspire you to start conversations, break the stigma, and bring about meaningful change to uplift the men in your communities.

Lee Healey, Director of Continuous Improvement, highlighted the stigma that men must always appear tough, a stereotype that prevents many from seeking help. "It’s crucial to challenge these stereotypes and promote open conversations about mental health," Lee stated, underscoring the need for vulnerability to foster change.

Gilson Rodrigues, Production Supervisor in Brazil, echoed the same notion, pointing out that societal expectations often label men who express their feelings as "weak." These biases, he warns, discourage openness and create barriers to seeking support.

Ibkun (KB) Kembi, Talent Manager in North America, mentioned that in the Black community, speaking about mental health or seeking therapy was historically frowned upon. Men are taught to 'be strong,' but this can come at the cost of ignoring their well-being out of fear of being called “soft” or “crazy” which creates a cycle of stigma.

Ajeeth Enjeti, General Manager of the Food Business Unit, challenged the commonly held belief that mental health struggles happen to "others" and not oneself. This denial can lead to a slippery slope where unnoticed stress compounds over time leaving you more vulnerable.

Ajeeth Enjeti emphasised the importance of self-awareness and of allowing yourself space: "Understanding your circumstances, mood swings, the environment, and your reactions—all of this adds up over time. There’s no perfect balance; you need flexibility for unforeseen forces that might temporarily overwhelm”.

Waldo Van Malssen, Sales Director for Speciality Nutrition, highlighted the significance of recharging through activities that restore energy such as spending time with loved ones and exercising. 

For Lee Healy balance looks like staying connected with family and friends and making time for hobbies like football or DIY projects. While João Augusto, Purchasing Supervisor in Brazil, defined it as nurturing positive relationships and celebrating life's achievements. 

Jan Weinrich, R&D specialist 3D Prototyping brings in the elements of physical activity and community into his definition stating that running 10k with colleagues once a week brings him peace.

Bohumil Capek, Sustainability Project Manager, summed it up to 5 characteristics: “being resilient, building and maintaining supportive relationships, self-care, having hobbies and taking adequate rest.”

For Lee Healy, this means creating safe spaces where team members can express themselves without fear. "I lead by example, showing that it’s okay to take breaks and seek help," he explained. While Ibkun (KB) Kembi, stressed the importance of flexibility and recognising when someone might need time and space to recharge.

Let’s embrace the lessons shared by our colleagues as we move forward:

Tips for everybody 

• Check in with yourself. Address concerns early to avoid escalation.

• Stay active. Whether it’s a walk or a workout, movement clears the mind.

• Foster connections. Build a support system that encourages openness.

• Prioritise rest and mindfulness. Recharge and refocus to maintain balance.

Tips for leaders:

• Break the Stigma: Discuss challenges openly and honestly.

• Be a Role Model : Take care of yourself and hold healthy boundaries. Your team will follow your example.

• Hold Space: Stand firm for your team. Ensure they can come to you when they’re struggling.

• Remember the Human: We never fully know what someone is going through outside their work obligations.

Together, we can create a world where mental health is a priority and bring much needed transformation to build safe spaces for everyone.