How to celebrate International Men’s Day (and why it matters)
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Ready to honor the men in your life? Learn about the origins of International Men's day and the very important mental and physical health issues that it highlights.
Every day, men are dealing with experiences that too often go unspoken. Struggles with mental health, suicidal thoughts, and the pressure to conform to narrow ideas of masculinity can leave many men feeling alone and not sure where to turn. Which can further affect their mental and physical health, and even their relationships with friends and family. It’s a vicious cycle that needs to change.
So every year on November 19, International Men’s Day gives us all a chance to pause and think about the issues, challenges, and contributions of men around the world. It’s there to remind us that men's wellbeing also affects the health and harmony of families, communities, and society as a whole.
Together, we can support the men in our lives—our fathers and father-figures, grandfathers, brothers, partners, friends, sons, and colleagues—by taking action. It’s time to promote awareness, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for better mental and physical health resources for men.
So let’s start those open conversations and create safe spaces right now, we can work together to ensure they feel seen, heard, and appreciated.
What (and when) is International Men’s Day?
International Men’s Day (IMD) is observed every year on November 19th. This is a day to celebrate men’s positive contributions, while also honoring the tough issues that they face. It’s a time to have open conversations about what masculinity really is, advocate for healthier expressions of what it means to “be a man,” and highlight the positive male role models in our lives.
IMD also complements other important awareness days like International Women’s Day (IWD) in March and Men’s Health Month in June.
Origin of International Men’s Day
The idea of celebrating International Men’s Day dates back to the 1960s, but it wasn’t until 1999 that the day was officially recognized. Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, a lecturer from Trinidad and Tobago who founded the day, chose November 19 to honor his father’s birthday, who he looked up to for his kindness, resilience, and positive influence.
Since then, the movement has grown, with events now taking place in over 80 countries. While the focus varies from region to region, the overarching goal is to address men’s challenges with togetherness and mutual understanding.
What are the objectives of International Men’s Day?
The objectives of International Men’s Day are different depending on your country and culture. There are so many diverse experiences of men across the world and this day aims to celebrate that by encouraging a more inclusive, understanding, and compassionate world.
In all of these communities the goal is to address the challenges men face in their daily lives. To break it down even further though, here are six typical key objectives that IMD tries to encourage:
Promote positive male role models: This day aims to celebrate the everyday men who inspire and lead by example.
Celebrate men’s contributions: Men impact communities, families, and the workplace and this day is a chance to recognize those contributions.
Highlight men’s health: Raising awareness about men’s mental health, physical health, and mental wellbeing is a key part of celebrating this holiday.
Address discrimination against men: Men face inequality in areas like social services, the law, and overall attitudes and expectations. And this day aims to highlight some of these inequalities.
Improve gender relations: Mutual respect, collaboration, and equality between all genders is one of IMD’s main objectives.
Create a safer, better world: Men deserve to live safely and reach their potential by being the fullest versions of themselves. And this holiday helps to remind everyone of that.
How to celebrate International Men’s Day: 6 mindful ways to show your support
International Men’s Day is a great opportunity to honor the men in our lives, and raise awareness about the issues they might face. Here are six mindful and meaningful ways to celebrate and show your support:
1. Have an honest conversation
Many men feel pressure to shove their emotions down, so creating a safe space for them to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment can be really meaningful. You might go for a walk or ask them to coffee and simply ask, “How are you really feeling?”
If your talk turns to difficult topics and they shut it down — that’s okay. They might not be ready to go there yet. Instead, try gently encouraging them to talk to another loved one like a friend or a family member or just let them know you're available if they do want to talk.
2. Encourage them to look after themselves
International Men’s Day is a perfect time to remind the men in your life that they need to put themselves first sometimes.
If self-care is new for them, try planning a shared activity, like going to a yoga class together or simply taking a moment to breathe deeply and practice mindfulness. (And if looking inward is really hard for them, here are 20+ self-care practices to get started.) You might even give them a journal as a tool to self-reflect.
💙 Listen to our Radical Self Care series with Lama Rod Owens if the man in your life needs a little push to take care of themselves.
3. Donate to men’s health organizations
Mark International Men’s Day by contributing to organizations that focus on men’s health. You might volunteer your time, share their message on social media, or donate money to their cause if you’re able. You might consider causes that focus on:
Mental health and suicide prevention: Movember or HeadsUpGuys help reduce the stigma around mental health.
Prostate and testicular cancer research: These common cancers affect men, and increased awareness can save lives.
Homelessness and addiction support: Men often represent a significant portion of the homeless population, and are more likely to struggle with addiction too.
4. Plan a gratitude moment
Let the men in your life know how much they mean to you. This can really help show them that you care and make them feel less alone.
While a card is nice, it’s probably unnecessary. Just pull them aside (or send them a text) to say you care.
💙 Listen to the Daily Jay’s Broaden Your Gratitude to help get you feel into all you’re grateful for around the men in your life.
5. Organize a group hang
Sometimes, it can mean more to just be together. Organize a friendly game of soccer or any sport that you know the man in your life likes to play. Or keep it more lowkey and invite a group over to your place to have pizza, unwind, and watch a movie.
6. Raise awareness
One way you can really make a difference is to use your voice to let people know what International Men’s Day is actually about. You also could take this day to publicly shout out a specific man you know who has really made a positive impact in your life.
If social media isn’t your thing, maybe consider talking to your boss or school to see if they would recognize the day with an event, workshops, or even a talk.
International Men’s Day FAQs
What are some unique ways to honor International Men’s Day in workplaces?
If you’re wanting to honor International Men’s Day, an easy way to do it is by posting about it on your social media or by sharing gratitude for your loved ones in person.
But if you’re looking to raise awareness specifically in the workplace, consider hosting workshops on men’s mental health awareness, stress management, or work-life balance tailored to men’s experiences. You could also invite guest speakers or ask employees to share their stories on topics like emotional resilience.
How does International Men’s Day differ from Men’s Health Week?
International Men’s Day and Men’s Health Week are similar celebrations in that they both share a focus on improving men’s lives — but they do so in different ways.
With International Men’s Day, the objective is to raise awareness about a broad range of men’s issues. The day aims to promote positive male role models, address mental health challenges, and improve gender relations. It’s celebrated on November 19.
Men’s Health Week is more focused on encouraging men to take care of their physical and mental health by getting them to work out, eat right, and get regular health screenings. This celebration occurs in June.
Why is November 19 significant for International Men’s Day?
Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh of Trinidad and Tobago formalized the observance of International Men’s Day in 1999. He chose November 19th to honor his father’s birthday, as he deeply admired his dad for his kindness and resilience.
But no matter the specific date, the real importance of this day is to celebrate men, raise awareness about the challenges they face, and reflect on the roles men play in our world.
How can meditation and mindfulness support men’s mental health?
Meditation and mindfulness can be especially beneficial for men who may have been told to suppress their emotions or “tough it out” when things get hard. By practicing mindfulness, men can learn to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, which can help them feel less stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.
Mindfulness can also improve emotional regulation, which can make it easier to respond to challenges in healthy and constructive ways. Regular meditation practices have been shown to enhance focus, boost mood, and bring a sense of calm, which can be particularly valuable for men juggling the demands of work, family, and personal responsibilities.
Importantly, mindfulness can also encourage self-compassion, which is important to help men deal with their inner critic, and to feel comfortable asking for help when they need it.
To add mindfulness into your daily routine, try a short guided meditation, deep-breathing exercise, or mindful walk (here are 10 more ideas to get you started). With time, these practices can help you improve your mental health and overall wellbeing.
How can men incorporate mindfulness into their daily routines for long-term wellbeing?
If you identify as a man, and are currently not sure how to bring mindfulness into your daily life, you’re not alone. It can feel really daunting at first to start anything new.
To help you get you started, here are five practical and simple activities you could try:
Start the day with intention: Begin each morning with a short moment of reflection. Setting a positive intention can really help frame your day with purpose.
Practice mindful pauses: Consider taking small breaks to check in with yourself throughout your day. It can even be something as brief as a minute of deep breathing.
Enjoy mindful movement: If you like to exercise, try yoga or tai chi. This can help you connect with your body and release your stress.
Practice gratitude: If writing is your thing, consider jotting down three things you’re grateful for at the end of each day. This can help shift your focus away from stressors and into more positivity.
Take a technology detox: Think aboutsetting your phone aside a few minutes each day to disconnect from any screens. This can help you to be more present.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.
Images: Getty
