Leading by example

Today is International Men’s Day (IMD) – a chance to celebrate the positive value our male colleagues bring to the business, their families and communities.

IMD is an annual international event celebrated in more than 80 countries, including the UK, on 19 November. It was inaugurated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago and has backing from UNESCO.

Historically, Royal Mail has marked IMD purely from a health and wellbeing perspective, and while this aspect is clearly important, we would also like to recognise and celebrate men’s role and contributions to the family and the wider community, particularly in regard to childcare and caring responsibilities.

Throughout this week, we will be sharing a number of stories from colleagues such as Sheffield late shift manager, Malibu Nabolizi, highlighting the inspiring work they do as parents and/or carers.

What does International Men’s Day seek to address?

• The high male suicide rate across the world
• The educational challenges that face both men and boys at all stages of their life
• Men’s health, their shorter life expectancy and the fact that male workplace death rates are much higher than women
• Male violence, and the fact that mean are also victims of rape, sexual exploitation and domestic violence
• Fathers’ rights and the challenges faced by men as parents, particularly as single parents or parents who might not have a good relationship with the mother of their children
• Male survivors of violence or abuse, including domestic abuse.

Support is available

• Bipolar UK – helps those living with manic depression or bipolar disorder
• Men's Health Forum – offers 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email
• Mental Health Foundation – provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities
• Mind – promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems
• Papyrus is a young suicide prevention society. Call 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm, and 2pm to 5pm on weekends)
• Samaritans – offers confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Call116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
• Young Minds – offers information on child and adolescent mental health. Parents can call 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
• Alcoholics Anonymous – offers advice on alcoholism and problem drinking. Call 0845 769 7555 (24-hour helpline)
• Narcotics Anonymous – offers support around drug addiction. Call 0300 999 1212 (daily, 10am to midnight)
• Be Gamble Aware – offers advice on gambling addiction and problem gambling. Call 0808 8020 133 (daily, 8am to midnight)

Colleagues can also visit www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk to access hundreds of articles providing practical, impartial and up to date information on a wide range of topics. The website is supported by a team of professional advisors, who are available around the clock. 

Go to the Feeling First Class portal (log-in or register with the code FFC1) and complete the mental health eLearning ‘Because Healthy Minds Matter’. You can also access helpful mental and physical health support content and complete the online stress tool.

Feeling First Class is available via www.feelingfirstclass.co.uk. You can also download the app from both iTunes and the Google Play store.