Men’s health awareness: your health check and useful resources

09 June 2025

Take notice: what’s going on in your body and your mind? Find out more about health topics affecting men.

Men's health week NHS check cartoon

Near the end of each year, there is Movember – to raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer, which are all some of the biggest men's health issues—as well as Sober October for Macmillan Cancer Support, Stoptober as a push to stop smoking, and International Men’s Day. It’s a good time to put your health in perspective.

It’s easy to forget to ask ourselves how we are. Are you feeling well? Maybe not, but you’ve not told anyone or seen a doctor to check it out. It’s better late than never to book an appointment: it could put your mind at rest either way.

Perhaps you're well physically but struggle with your mental health. The doctor can help you here, too, but there are also other options. You may have access to an employee assistance programme through work. Outside of work, local talking groups such as Andy’s Man Club are supportive spaces where you can share and/or listen. In a time of crisis, or for a chat, there is Samaritans. And don’t forget to reach out to supportive and understanding friends and family.

Check yourself, don't forget yourself

You can get a health check through the NHS if you’re aged 40 to 74 and do not have certain pre-existing health conditions (more information at the link). This could give you peace of mind that everything is ticking along ok under your bonnet. Or it may make you aware of issues you might need to keep an eye on.

If you can’t access a health check on the NHS, you might want to try your own health check: Men’s Health Forum has a DIY guide with simple tests and quizzes you can do to check how you are. You can also use tools such as its Man MOT guide (view in full on this page) to ask yourself further key questions about your health and set yourself challenges to be healthier.

Below, we’ve linked to a range of resources on our website that can help you understand more about different health issues and where to get further help, alongside a list of links to more information on health issues that can affect men.

Men's Health Week eyesight cartoon cropped