Movember: Men’s Mental Health Month

The Movember foundation was originally set up in 2003 to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and suicide; annually, men are encouraged to grow their moustaches during the month of November to support other men who may be suffering from health issues, hence why the month has been named as ‘Movember’ in regard to this charity.

Awareness Days stated that “by 2030 we’ll reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%”, and to achieve this, everyone who can should join the movement and participate, whether that is by being sponsored to grow a moustache or by doing the physical fitness challenge, which is explained further in this article.

Grow a Mo

With the money raised through growing a moustache, Movember funds a ground-breaking amount of health projects coming to 1,250 so far – all across mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. This huge impact is being made because of men who participate and ‘Grow a Mo’, so if you have the opportunity, do not miss out on this!

Make a Move

Run or walk for 60km over the month for the 60 men who lose to suicide every hour across the world. To make it easier, you can pick a community and run in groups virtually, so if you prefer this then click HERE to find out more.

Men and Mental Health

In the published Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 Results, the suicide rate of men versus female from the time range of 1990 to 2017 showed a large difference across the world, where close to 800,000 people die from suicide every year, making it one person every 40 seconds. The men suicide rate is much higher than women, which is alarming, considering there is not enough emphasis put on men’s mental health as there is for women.

The Mental Health Foundation collected 15 tips for men on picking themselves up when life is tough, these are as follows:

1. Reach out and talk to a friend when you start to hide yourself away
2. Be listened to and get it off your chest 
3. Follow social media accounts that you can relate to 
4. Have a chat with someone who will listen and not ‘fix’
5. Keep up with your routine, or add new structure to your day 
6. Go outside for a short walk  
7. Make a motivational playlist 
8. Read a motivational or inspirational quote to get perspective 
9. Do something new like volunteering
10. Take up a new hobby 
11. Get out of your comfort zone, feel a sense of achievement from this 
12. Stop and pause, take time to check in with your head by using mindfulness, writing, or meditation 
13. Focus on breathing, breathe in and out slowly for three minutes 
14. Switch off in a way that works for you, using a book, film, video game, etc. 
15. Ask a friend how they are as doing something for them can make you feel better  

Support:

If you are ever worried that your or someone else’s life may be in danger, then do not hesitate to call 999 in the UK, 112 in Europe, or 911 in the US.

If you need to speak to someone for help but are not in immediate danger, then call 111 in UK instead.

The Shout Crisis text line is also available 24/7 for anyone struggling to cope: 85258.

The Samaritans accept free calls for confidential emotional support for people experiencing distress, despair, or suicidal thoughts: 116 123.