This event is celebrated across all four nations of the UK and is annually marked on the 19th November. It’s an opportunity to empower men, promote inclusive cultures, increase awareness for the many issues that men face in today’s world, highlight discrimination, and raise awareness about men’s wellbeing – whether it’s social, emotional, physical or their mental health.
How the event started: Within the UK, it was formally started in 2010, but it actually originated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh – a history lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad. Today, International Men’s Day is now a global event.
Every year, International Men’s Day in the UK is marked by more and more women, men and organisations across the country. Across November there are Parliamentary debates, policy launches, employer days (perfect for showcasing Diversity Equality Inclusion – DEI / EDI), community events, health days, business events, staff support days, debates, student events, political events, lectures, research launches, gigs, charity promotion days, book launches, mental health discussions, film showings, conferences, competitions, comedy nights, get-togethers, award announcements and charity fundraisers – the most anywhere in the world.
The International Men’s Day theme is: “Supporting Men & Boys” – key themes that wrap around this include:
- Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys
- Raising awareness (or funds) for the charities that are supporting men and boys’ wellbeing
- Promoting positive conversations about men, manhood and masculinity
According to International Men’s Day UK, there are some sobering statistics which make this charitable cause so worthy to support.
- Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death in UK males – it accounts for 14% of all cancer deaths in UK males
- Mortality: 1 in 5 men don’t live to the age of 65 years
- The UK’s suicide rate is at the highest in the century. 5,000+ men pass away each year by suicide across Engand, Wales, Soctland and Northern Ireland
- The number of men sleeping rough in the UK has increased – it’s at its highest since 2017: males make up 83% of rough sleepers.
Let’s not forget Movember:
The men’s health charity Movember is part of International Men’s Day, and kicked off the Movember campaign on 1st November. They work hard to give men the facts on men’s health, to help change behaviours for the better, and they unite the brightest minds (from government, research and civil society) and they listen to the male community and advocate for men. According to Movember, men are dying on average 4.5 years earlier than women, and for primarily preventable reasons.
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Find out more facts and figures at International Men’s Day UK
How to Support International Men’s Day 2025
There are lots of fantastic opportunities for you to use and run events and activities, including:
- Highlight some serious issues affecting men and boys and their wellbeing
- Encourage and support men and boys in getting support including signposting and making it more accessible
- Using speakers from charities supporting men and boys (contact them direct)
- Hold events, run campaigns, create awards, tweet/post/send messages
- Raise money for charities supporting men and boys
- Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity
- Celebrate Britain’s men and boys (great for schools and colleges – who is your favourite man – dads, brothers etc)
- Celebrate great male colleagues at work or in the community (IMD UK Certificate – use or adapt)
- Help organisations showcase to display their Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) credentials
- Pay/raise funds for those in need – young men needing suits/haircuts for interview, nutrition packs for homeless men, books for young men in youth custody etc
- Have some fun!!!
© International Men’s Day – Support