International Men’s Day

International Men’s Day is an opportunity for people everywhere to appreciate and celebrate the men in their lives and the contribution they make to society.

The Day is not only about men’s health, but also about building a culture of understanding, equality, and connection across Tusla. Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the contributions of our male colleagues, support one another, and make wellbeing a shared priority.

Tusla is proud to join the global celebration of International Men’s Day 2025, a day dedicated to recognising the positive value men bring to families, workplaces, and communities and to promote health, equality, and connection. On 19th November, International Men’s Day celebrates worldwide the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. We highlight positive role models and raise awareness of men’s well-being.

‘Together for Wellbeing’, reminds us that men’s health - physical, mental, and emotional - matters to everyone. When men are supported to live healthy, balanced lives, our whole organisation and society benefit.

International Men’s Day is a chance to pause and reflect on how we support the wellbeing of all our staff. We encourage every colleague, men and women to engage in conversations about wellbeing and to take action that supports healthy habits and stronger teams.

Did You Know?

Men in Ireland live on average four years less than women (CSO, 2024).
Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death among men.
1 in 4 men report feeling persistently stressed or anxious.
Men are less likely to seek help for mental health concerns – even when supports are available.

These statistics highlight why awareness, open dialogue, and prevention are essential. For more information on Men’s Health Statistics please find these at https://www.mhfi.org

International Men’s Day Initiative: ‘Connect & Reflect’

To mark this year’s International Men’s Day, Tusla’s Health and Wellbeing Team invites all staff to take part in the Connect & Reflect initiative from 18–22 November 2025.

The aim is to encourage every team to:

Connect – Take time for an informal chat, coffee morning, or walk with colleagues.
Reflect – Think about how workplace culture can better support men’s wellbeing and inclusion.
Act – Identify one small wellbeing goal, personally or as a team and share it with HWEAP. Photos, quotes, or reflections from your team’s Connect & Reflect moments will be welcome.

Practical Health Tips for Men

Get checked: Schedule regular health screenings, prevention saves lives.
Stay active: 30 minutes of movement a day improves mood, heart health, and focus.
Talk about stress: Speaking up is a strength. Use EAP or Occupational Health supports early.
Prioritise sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours per night to boost recovery and resilience.
Stay connected: Strong relationships protect mental health, reach out regularly to friends and colleagues.

See the link below to check out the most recent Men’s Health in Numbers Report Card 2024. https://www.tusla.ie/health-wellbeing-and-eap/health-promotion/mens-health

Supports Available to All Staff

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): The Employee Assistance Programme is a national independent service that is available free of charge to all employees of Tusla, provided by an external provider. They provide confidential, professional support and counselling to employees. You can contact the counselling service on 1800 817 435, there will be a triage assessment system to ensure you get the support that you require. This is a confidential 24/7 service. This free service is provided to support employees at a time of difficulty with personal and or work-related issues. Employees do not need to contact HR or their line manager to access this service. Email us at eap@tusla.ie or phone the confidential EAP service on https://www.tusla.ie/health-wellbeing-and-eap/employee-assistance-and-counselling-service
Occupational Health Service: More information at https://www.tusla.ie/health-wellbeing-and-eap/occupational-health-service
Tusla Wellbeing Hub: Wellbeing resources, training, and details of upcoming events. https://www.tusla.ie/health-wellbeing-and-eap