Men’s Health Awareness Month 2023 is a reminder that health is not only physical.
It is also emotional, practical and financial.
At Connect Mortgages, we understand that mental wellbeing matters. It matters to our people, our advisers, our clients and the wider mortgage industry.
This article looks at why men’s health awareness matters, how mental wellbeing can affect daily life, and how Connect supports open conversations through a culture of care, respect and practical action.
It also explains why protection, financial planning and clear mortgage advice can form part of a more secure long-term wellbeing conversation.
Men’s Health Awareness Month 2023
Men’s Health Awareness Month takes place each November.
The campaign is often linked with Movember, which raises awareness of men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
The message is simple, but important.
Men should not have to wait until pressure becomes too heavy before they speak, seek support or review what matters most.
Health is not only about symptoms. It is also about habits, relationships, work, money, family, identity and confidence.
A man may appear calm at work and still be under pressure at home. He may be managing financial stress, caring responsibilities, health worries or uncertainty about the future.
That is why awareness matters.
It creates space for honest conversations.
Why Mental Wellbeing Matters
Mental wellbeing is not a side issue.
It can affect sleep, decision-making, work, relationships and financial confidence.
During Men’s Health Awareness Month 2023, the wider message was not only about spotting risk. It was also about building better habits, stronger support and more open conversations.
The Office for National Statistics reported that the male suicide rate in England and Wales increased to 17.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2023. This was the highest male rate since 1999.
This is why awareness campaigns need to be treated with care.
They are not just calendar events. They are reminders that someone may need support before they know how to ask for it.
The NHS Every Mind Matters service also offers practical guidance for people dealing with stress, anxiety, low mood and poor sleep.
For urgent support, people should contact emergency services if there is immediate danger. Anyone who needs to speak to someone can contact Samaritans on 116 123.
How Connect Supports Mental Wellbeing
At Connect, wellbeing starts with people.
You can read more about our wider approach on our Wellbeing at Connect Mortgages page.
Our approach is based on open communication, respect and inclusion.
This means:
- Supporting conversations about mental health.
- Encouraging people to ask for support when needed.
- Promoting fairness, inclusion and respect.
- Helping teams work with clarity and care.
- Recognising that different people face different pressures.
- Linking wellbeing to better communication and better client outcomes.
A mortgage business depends on trust.
That trust does not only sit between adviser and client. It also sits within the team.
People who feel supported are better placed to listen, explain and respond with care.
Why Wellbeing Matters in Mortgage Advice
Mortgage advice often happens during major life moments.
Someone may be buying their first home. Someone may be moving after a relationship change. Another person may be remortgaging because their fixed rate is ending.
These decisions can involve money, family, risk, debt and long-term plans.
That can create pressure.
A supported adviser is better placed to help a client understand the process. A clear conversation can reduce uncertainty. A calm explanation can help someone make a more informed decision.
This is where wellbeing and financial advice meet.
Good advice is not only about finding a product. It is also about helping someone understand what that product means in real life.
Financial Wellbeing and Men’s Health
Financial stress can affect mental wellbeing.
Mortgage payments, household costs, income changes and family responsibilities can all create pressure.
For some people, financial planning is one way to reduce uncertainty.
This does not remove every risk. However, it can help people understand what may happen if income stops, illness affects work or a family loses financial support.
That is why protection conversations matter.
Protection may include life cover, critical illness cover, income protection or mortgage protection, depending on the client’s needs.
You can read more about this on our Mortgage Protection & Life Insurance page.
Protection is not about fear.
It is about asking a practical question.
If life changed suddenly, what would need to keep working?
Practical Steps for Men During Awareness Month
Men’s Health Awareness Month 2023 encouraged people to view health more holistically.
This may include:
- Booking routine health checks.
- Speaking to someone about stress or low mood.
- Reviewing sleep, exercise and alcohol habits.
- Checking in with friends, colleagues or family.
- Asking for help before a problem becomes urgent.
- Reviewing financial commitments and protection needs.
- Understanding mortgage payments before making a long-term decision.
For mortgage clients, a useful first step may be to check affordability before making plans.
Our Residential Affordability Calculator can help people start that conversation with clearer numbers.
A calculator does not replace advice.
It simply gives people a more informed starting point.
The Role of Adviser Choice
Some clients feel more comfortable speaking with an adviser who understands their situation, language, location or communication preference.
That can matter when the topic involves money, health, family or personal pressure.
Connect Experts helps users search for advisers by location, language, gender and mortgage type.
If you would like to choose the type of adviser you speak with, you can find a mortgage adviser through Connect Experts.
Mortgage advice is provided by the adviser or firm selected by the customer.
Men’s Health, Work and Responsibility
Many men carry responsibility quietly.
They may feel they need to keep going, keep earning and keep solving problems.
There is strength in responsibility. But there is also strength in honesty.
Men’s Health Awareness Month 2023 reminds us that asking for support is not weakness. It is a practical step.
At Connect, we believe that wellbeing works best when it is part of everyday culture.
Not a slogan. Not a single campaign. Not one month of awareness.
A workplace that supports mental wellbeing helps people feel seen, heard and respected.
That matters in financial services because clients often come to advisers with important life decisions.
A calm, supported team can support clients with better care.
Important Mortgage and Protection Notes
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any loans secured on it.
Protection policies vary by provider, cover type, underwriting, exclusions and cost.
A qualified adviser can explain which options may be suitable based on your circumstances.
Connect Mortgages is a trading style of Connect IFA Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and entered on the Financial Services Register under reference 441505.
