Why International Men’s Day (19th November 2025) Deserves the Spotlight
- Martin Bunker
- Nov 19
- 3 min read
Tl;dr - Here are my thoughts on International Men's Day - Wednesday 19th November 2025.
“It’s Time to Talk About Men”
Why International Men’s Day Deserves the Spotlight
Every year on November 19, International Men’s Day (IMD) arrives with a quiet dignity—often overlooked, sometimes misunderstood, and rarely given the platform it deserves. But at Neurodiversity in Mind, we believe this day is not just relevant—it’s essential.
IMD is not a counterpoint to International Women’s Day. It’s a complementary call to action: to celebrate the positive contributions of men and boys, to address the unique challenges they face, and to foster a more compassionate, inclusive society for everyone.
What Is International Men’s Day Really About?
According to UKMensDay.org.uk and InternationalMensDay.com, the day is built around six core pillars, including:
Promoting positive male role models
Celebrating men’s contributions to family, community, and care
Focusing on men’s health and wellbeing
Highlighting discrimination against men and boys
Improving gender relations and promoting equality
Creating a safer, fairer world for all
This year’s UK theme—“Zero Male Suicide”—is a sobering reminder of the stakes. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK. That’s not just a statistic. It’s a call to action.
Why Coverage Matters
When International Men’s Day is ignored or dismissed, we miss a vital opportunity to:
Tackle stigma: Men are still far less likely to seek help for mental health issues. Cultural expectations around stoicism and “toughness” can be deadly.
Celebrate care and compassion: From fathers and mentors to carers and community leaders, men contribute in ways that deserve recognition—not ridicule.
Support rehabilitation and re-entry: For men navigating life after prison, addiction, or trauma, visibility and support can be life-changing. At Neurodiversity in Mind, we see this every day.
Redefine masculinity: IMD invites us to move beyond outdated tropes and toward a vision of masculinity rooted in empathy, authenticity, and equity.
Why It Matters to Us
At Neurodiversity in Mind, we work with men who are autistic, ADHDers, ex-offenders, and those navigating complex systems that weren’t built with them in mind. Many have been told to “man up” when what they needed was support. Many have been punished for behaviours that were really signs of unmet needs. Many have never been asked how they’re really doing.
International Men’s Day gives us a platform to change that.
It’s a chance to say: “You matter. Your story matters. And we see you.”
A Day for Everyone
IMD isn’t just for men. It’s for communities. It’s for families, workplaces, schools, and services to come together and ask:
How can we better support the men and boys in our lives?
How can we create spaces where vulnerability is met with compassion?
How can we ensure that masculinity is no longer a mask, but a mosaic?
Let’s Elevate the Conversation
If we want to build a more inclusive, mentally healthy, and equitable society, we can’t afford to side-line half the population. Giving International Men’s Day the coverage it deserves isn’t about competing with other causes—it’s about completing the picture.
So on 19th November 2025 , let’s do more than acknowledge the day. Let’s amplify it. Let’s honour it. Let’s use it.
Because when we support men and boys—especially those who’ve been marginalised, misunderstood, or left behind—we strengthen the whole of society.
For More Information:
International Men's Day 2025 Worldwide
International Men's Day 2025 UK Welcome to the home of International Men's Day in the UK
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