EDI News

Tag: wellbeing

  • International Men’s Health Week

     

    This week is International Men’s Health Week.  Originally starting in the USA in 1994, before becoming an international awareness event in 2002, when it was marked for the first time in the UK.

    This year’s theme—Shoulder to Shoulder: Connecting for Health—is a powerful reminder that no man should face health challenges alone. From physical conditions like heart disease and prostate cancer to mental health struggles and loneliness, this week is about standing together, speaking up, and supporting one another. The Men’s Health Forum is a registered charity in the UK campaigning for better, strategic healthcare, providing resources and training for Men’s Health Champions.

    Men’s Health Week is important, as men are statistically more likely to ignore symptoms, delay seeking help, and suffer in silence. The consequences are stark:

    • 1 in 5 men in the UK die before the age of 65 
    • Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women 
    • Prostate cancer is now the most diagnosed cancer in men in England 

    These numbers highlight the urgent need for awareness, early intervention, and open conversations.

    Key Health Issues to Watch

    ❤️ Heart Disease

    Still the leading cause of death among men in the UK. Regular check-ups, a healthy diet, and exercise can significantly reduce risk.

    🧠 Mental Health & Suicide

    Men aged 45–49 have the highest suicide rate in the UK. Reducing stigma and encouraging men to talk about their feelings is vital.

    🧬 Prostate & Testicular Cancer

    Early detection saves lives. Know the symptoms, and don’t skip screenings.

    😓 Stress & Loneliness

    Social isolation and chronic stress are silent threats. This year’s theme encourages men to connect, talk, and support each other.

    Organisations That Can Help:

    Men’s Health Forum

    CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

    Mind

    Prostate Cancer UK

    NHS Every Mind Matters

    Final Thoughts

    Men’s Health Week is a call to action for everyone, whatever your gender. If you’re a man, perhaps it’s booking a check-up you’ve been putting off, opening up about your mental health, or simply checking in on a mate. For everyone else, supporting the men in your life to prioritise and look after their health, every step counts.

  • Loneliness Awareness Week 2025: Meeting Loneliness Together

     

    Loneliness is a deeply human experience—something we all feel at times, yet often struggle to talk about.

    Registered charity, The Marmalade Trust, created Loneliness Awareness Week in 2017 to raise awareness and help combat loneliness.

    This year’s theme, Meeting Loneliness Together, encourages open conversations and collective action to reduce the stigma surrounding loneliness.

    Loneliness can affect anyone—regardless of age, gender, background, or circumstance.

    It’s not just about being alone.

    We can sometimes feel lonely in a busy room full of our nearest and dearest. It’s about feeling disconnected, unseen, or unsupported.

    Prolonged loneliness can impact mental and physical health, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and even heart disease.

    By raising awareness, we can help people feel less isolated and more empowered to reach out, connect, and support one another.

    And it’s easier to do than you think. Please take some time this week to:

    • Start a conversation: Ask someone how they’re really doing.
    • Saying “Hello” or smiling at the neighbour we don’t know.
    • Host a community event: A coffee morning, shared lunch, or walk can go a long way.
    • Volunteer for a befriending charity: There are lots of regional charities that provide support and companionship for elderly or vulnerable members of the community.
    • Share your story: Talking about your own experiences of loneliness can help others feel less alone and open up too.

    If you or someone you know is struggling with loneliness or mental health, these organisations are here to help:

    Marmalade Trust

    Mind

    The Silver Line

    Campaign to End Loneliness

    CAP UK (Christians Against Poverty)

    Final Thoughts

    Loneliness is not a weakness—it’s a signal that we need connection. This Loneliness Awareness Week, let’s come together to listen, support, and remind each other that no one has to face loneliness alone.

    #LonelinessAwarenessWeek

  • Stress Awareness Month

    Stress Awareness Month is an annual event observed every April since 1992, dedicated to increasing public awareness about the causes and cures of stress.

    Stress in the workplace can have a major impact on our mental health, so is a consideration as part of becoming accrEDIted©. How do you look after your employees stress levels and mental health?

    If you don’t already have a mental health or wellbeing policy in place, or provide access to support via your workplace, simple steps like:

    • Setting realistic and achievable targets or deadlines
    • Making sure people are not regularly having to work additional hours to get through the workload
    • Creating an open and safe environment where people are not afraid to ask for help and support

    can help reduce stress and improve mental health. Which, as well as being kinder to your people, also reduces sickness and absences, boosting productivity!

    We love this year’s theme for Stress Awareness Month #LeadWithLove We particularly like the Kindness Calendar from the Stress Management Society as an easy and free way to #LeadWithLove this month.

    Creating brilliant environments, where everyone belongs and can flourish as their true selves, doesn’t happen by accident. If you would like to know how becoming accrEDIted© can help you improve EDI for all your people, please get in touch.

  • Welcome to Jessica Agudelo Training & Consultancy

    We are delighted to welcome Jessica Agudelo Training & Consultancy to the accrEDIted© Community.

    Jessica specialises in mental health training, consultancy services, and one-to-one mentoring and wellbeing support. She designs and delivers evidence-based training programmes that help individuals and organisations create mentally healthy workplaces and communities.

    With a unique combination of cultural understanding and expertise in systemic practice, Jessica facilitates sustainable change by addressing the deeper patterns that influence both personal and professional dynamics.

    Our Community is a directory of amazing specialists that can help with all sorts of EDI related issues and challenges that you might be encountering on your journey.

    Access the Community of specialist resources here.