Just like cars, we need a check-up every so often, to make sure everything’s running as it should.

And just like with our cars, we can sometimes be reluctant to do so, for fear of finding anything wrong. But these checks are important.

Carrying them out allows us to proactively look after our health, and swiftly intervene if there are any issues.

Head

Starting at the top of the body, let’s talk about your head. Male mental wellbeing has never been so important, as the biggest threat to men under the age of 50 is actually themselves.

Around 3 in 4 people who end up taking their own life are male, and 1 in 8 men have a common mental health problem. Despite this, a stigma towards male mental health still exists, which is making it difficult for men to open up.

If things aren’t right between the ears, it doesn’t matter how much you can lift, how fast your car is, or how much money you earn, you won’t feel good.

So, a vital part of your MOT is to check your mental health, and make sure everything is okay.

If you are struggling, contact your GP. Talking about mental health issues takes a lot of courage, but help and support from your GP could make a big difference to your life.

Once you’ve checked your own mental health, why not check in on the mental health of one of your male friends?

You never know, simply asking the question might just save someone’s life. When you do ask the question, ask it twice. Three in four people would say they’re fine even if they’re struggling.

Simply asking again, with interest, might just lead to them opening up on an issue they otherwise would have kept hidden.

Heart

Moving down from the head, to the heart. Heart disease kills 1 in 8 men, and 80% of these deaths can be prevented by healthy lifestyle changes.

By implementing and maintaining these changes, you can go a long way towards protecting your heart, and lengthening your life. Here’s 3 heart-healthy habits to get you started.

1. Maintain a high-fibre diet

A healthy, high-fibre diet can go a long way towards keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure in check.

2. Maintain a regular exercise routine

Most men should aim for around 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

3. Drink within the recommended amount of alcohol

The NHS recommends drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week

Bowels

Moving from the heart to the bowels. Around 1 in 15 men will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime, but it is highly treatable if it is caught early. To help with this, some men are eligible for free bowel cancer screening.

Everyone aged 60 to 74, who is registered with a GP and lives in England, is automatically sent a bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years.

This programme is expanding to include anyone over the age of 56 in 2021. You can watch a video showing how to use the kit here.

Prostate

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, but it’s also one of the most curable. Knowing the symptoms, and responding quickly to them, could significantly prolong your life.

Potential symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
• Needing to rush to the toilet
• Difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
• Straining or taking a long time while peeing
• Weak flow of urine
• Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
• Blood in your urine or semen

These symptoms do not always indicate prostate cancer. Many men’s prostates naturally get larger as they get older. However, if you experience any of them, it’s still important that you visit a doctor.

Prostate cancer is one of the most curable cancers, as long as it is caught in its early stages.

Balls

The last stage of the MOT is checking your balls! Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men and teenagers, so we really can’t emphasise enough how important these checks are.

The process is a fairly simple one, and should be carried out about once a month:

1. Firstly, cup your balls under your hands to see how heavy they are
2. Roll each ball between finger and thumb, and carefully check for any lumps or changes in size
3. After that, just have a look and a feel to make sure they are the same size and weight

You can find a more detailed guide on how to check your balls here.

Typical symptoms of testicular cancer are a painless swelling or lump in one of the testicles, or any change in  their texture or shape.

Other symptoms may include an increase in the firmness of a testicle, a difference in appearance between one testical and the other, a dull ache or sharp pain in your testicles or scrotum, which may come and go, or a feeling of heaviness in your scrotum.

If you do find or experience any of the above, then difficult as it may be, try not to panic. Lumps in your balls can be caused by a range of things, and it is estimated that only 4 in 100 lumps are caused by cancer.

However, you do need to go to your doctor as soon as you can, to get it checked out. You will be given the option of seeing a male doctor if you’d prefer.

Download your checklist

That brings us to the end of your MOT. If you’d like to remind yourself how and when you carry out these checks in the future, you can download our Men’s MOT Checklist below.

What happens next?

Going forwards, we’d like you to get into the habit of reflecting on how healthy you are. Hopefully you’re fighting fit and feeling fine, but if something is wrong, or if you’re honestly not sure, then take proactive steps today to try and sort it.

Take the right action straightaway and hopefully you’ll be back on the road as soon as possible.

And with over half of LGBTQ+ people experiencing depression each year, organisations must recognise the importance of supporting this group within the workplace.

One route to developing this support is through the use of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): internal communities of workers with shared identities and interests.

When used effectively, they are key to fostering a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

To get the inside track on developing ERGs for LGBTQ+ employees, we spoke to Leanne Taylor, Senior Creative and I & D Champion at insurance giant Gallagher.

Leanne was key to establishing Gallagher’s LGBTQ+ and Allies network and is passionate about the positive role it has played within the business.

Creating a community

The Gallagher UK LGBTQ+ and Allies network began with a small group of individuals who aimed to support the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ employees.

The initial aim of this group was to create a sense of connection within the organisation. Simply knowing that others share similar experiences can alleviate the isolation often experienced by marginalised groups.

The network reached out across business divisions, ensuring that employees in different teams knew they were not alone. Over time, the network grew exponentially, with over 100 members joining in just a couple of years.

“People want to feel seen and connected. If you’re the only LGBTQ+ person in your department, you can feel isolated but often there’s someone else in the company with similar experiences,” adds Leanne.

Advocacy and awareness

In addition to providing peer support, the Gallagher UK LGBTQ+ and Allies network actively engages in advocacy and awareness initiatives within the organisation.

This includes organising Pride events, fundraising for World Aids Day, celebrating diversity, and fostering a sense of unity and allyship within the organisation.

The network also commemorates key dates – such as LGBTQ+ History Month – by inviting influential speakers to share their lived experiences and insights.

By raising awareness and aiming to reach a wide audience, whether part of a network or not, organisations can take steps towards encouraging allyship and creating a more inclusive workplace.

Shaping policy

While standard policies – like adoption leave and equal discrimination – can often be seen to cover LGBTQ+ needs, there is a huge need for more progress in other areas. This includes policies that support and protect the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming employees.

By actively engaging with the organisation’s leadership, employee groups and networks can have a say in policy development and implementation.

And by advocating for policies that support gender transition, inclusive dress codes, shared bathroom spaces, and medical transitioning support, ERGs can offer the insight of lived experience to creating an environment where all employees feel supported, respected, and visible.

Benefits of ERGs for LGBTQ+ employees

One of the key things that ERGs offer employees is support and recognition that their experiences matter.

It can be challenging for individuals from minority communities to explain to others why workplace support is essential or how it directly impacts their lives.

However, acknowledging the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and the unique challenges they face is crucial in supporting their wellbeing.

ERGs, like Gallaghers LGBTQ+ group, provide a community of like-minded people who understand and validate each other’s experiences, creating a supportive and empathetic environment.

Impact on wellbeing

By establishing a sense of connectedness and belonging, the network addresses the feelings of isolation often experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace, the Gallgher UK LGBTQ+ and Allies network has positively influenced the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ employees.

Surveys conducted within Gallagher indicate that employees appreciate the support provided by the network. This is critical – feeling supported and accepted at work can significantly impact overall wellbeing, particularly when we face challenges outside of the workplace.

‘Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and hate crimes are on the rise – the outside world can feel unsafe to the LGBTQ+ community but we can help people by creating a work environment that feels safe and supportive,’ notes Leanne.

Long-term support

Creating a workplace that supports the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ employees is a journey.

The Gallagher UK LGBTQ+ and Allies network serves as a powerful example of the impact that a dedicated and inclusive community can have.

Gallagher has demonstrated that by fostering a sense of connectedness, advocating for inclusive policies, and educating stakeholders, these networks can make a real difference.