Men’s Health Month
Why Men’s Health Matters
Faith Community Nurses (FCNs) and health ministry leaders play an important role in caring for the men in their congregations, encouraging them to pay attention to their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Men tend to have shorter lifespans than women and are more likely to die from preventable causes such as heart disease and certain cancers, yet they are less likely to seek regular preventive care or talk about health concerns.
HEALTH FACTS
Men live about six years less than women on average in the United States.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, and men are more likely to experience conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that contribute to cardiovascular risk.
About 15% of adult men smoke and fewer than one‑third meet federal guidelines for physical activity—factors linked to chronic disease.
Men are significantly more likely to die by suicide than women, highlighting the importance of mental health support.
HEALTH PROGRAMS IN CONGREGATIONAL SETTINGS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY:
Helping men understand and access preventive care and screenings.
Listening with compassion and creating safe spaces to discuss health, stress, or emotional concerns.
Connecting men to peer support, small groups, or community resources.
Integrating spiritual reflection, prayer, and encouragement alongside health guidance.
With practical tips, support, and spiritual care, FCNs and health ministry leaders can help the men in their faith communities take steps toward healthier habits and stronger overall well‑being this Men’s Health Toolkit.
Ready-to-Use Program Ideas
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Objective:
The Faith Community Nurse or health ministry leader will increase awareness and understanding of recommended preventive screenings among men in the congregation by educating them on what screenings are needed, why they matter, and how to overcome common barriers.Metric:
At least (input your number) men will attend a discussion, workshop, or one-on-one session about preventive screenings, and at least (input your number) participants will report an increased understanding of a specific screening or preventive health action they should consider.Data Collection Tool:
Men’s Health Month SurveyKey Activities / Interventions:
Screening Education Sessions: Teach men about age-appropriate screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, prostate, colon, mental health), including why early detection improves health outcomes. Use the following resources to support this intervention, CDC’s Cheat Sheets on Men’s Cancer Screenings, American Cancer Society’s Get your Tests, Testing for Prostate Cancer, Getting Screened for Colorectal Cancer. For recent information on cancer prevention and early detection access the American Cancer Society 2025/2026 report.
Barrier Awareness: Discuss common obstacles—fear, embarrassment, scheduling, or access—and provide practical strategies for addressing them, such as clinic contacts, telehealth options, or local support resources. Access Indiana health fairs using the following links, Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition, Northeast Indiana Parkview Check-Up Days, Remote Area Medical Free Healthcare Clinics in Indiana. Or access insurance navigators through the following link Indiana Health Centers.
One-on-One Guidance: Offer brief sessions where men can ask questions, clarify misunderstandings, and reflect on their personal health priorities. Use the following resources to aid in one-on-one health counseling sessions, ACS Reduce your Cancer Risk, Tobacco What is it costing you?, Tips for Reducing Caffeine, and Behavior Change Worksheets.
Faith-Based Reflection: Link preventive care to spiritual stewardship, emphasizing that caring for one’s body supports family, community, and faith life. Include prayer, reflection, or devotional discussion as appropriate.
Other Resources to Support This Goal:
Faith-based discussion guides linking preventive care to holistic well-being
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Objective:
Increase men’s awareness of depression and encourage early recognition by providing information about common warning signs, simple screening tools, and resources for support.Metric:
Participants can recognize at least two warning signs of depression.
Participants can identify one step they could take if they notice these signs (e.g., complete a short self-screening tool, talk to a healthcare provider, or reach out for support).
Key Activities:
Educate men to recognize the warning signs of depression and understand when to seek help. Use these resources to support this intervention, NIMH, Men’s Health Network or Heads Up Guys.
Introduce easy-to-use screening tools, like the PHQ-2 or PHQ-9, to help men check in on their mental health.
Provide resources and guidance for support, including local mental health providers, hotlines, and online tools. ISSP: Indiana Suicide Prevention, NAMI HelpLine, Indiana Therapists Near Me | Directory, Find the Best Therapists and Psychologists in Indiana - WithTherapy.
Resources:
Learn from the Experts (2 Videos)
Focus on Spiritual Integration-Hope Inspiration
Hope is more than optimism—it serves as a lifeline, especially for men facing health challenges, stress, or depression. Many men struggle quietly, feeling pressure to “tough it out” or hide their emotions. Faith community nurses play an important role in supporting men by helping to inspire hope.
Practically, this includes helping men recognize their strengths and resilience, and encouraging small steps toward improved health. It involves acknowledging struggles without judgment and reinforcing that challenges are not permanent. For many, connecting hope with faith and spiritual meaning provides additional strength to cope with illness, mental health concerns, or life transitions.
Encouraging hope also involves supporting realistic goal-setting. Celebrating progress, no matter how small, can empower men to take action—such as seeking mental health support, improving daily habits, or engaging more fully in community and spiritual life.
By offering encouragement, listening with care, and connecting men to resources, faith community nurses help foster optimism, resilience, and the courage to seek help. In this way, they support not only men’s physical and mental health but their spiritual well-being as well.
Tip: Even a simple, sincere affirmation—like, “You’re not alone, and things can get better”—can plant a seed of hope that grows stronger with support.
The resources provided on this website are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. The Indiana Center for Parish Nursing (ICPN) does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of information from external websites linked here.