Originally a quirky way to raise awareness of prostate cancer, Movember has become a global campaign to help men live happier, healthier, longer lives.
What is Movember?
The name Movember comes from a combination of “moustache” and “November”.
Created in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003, the initiative initially aimed to encourage men to grow a moustache (mo) during the month of November as a way of raising funds for prostate cancer charities and creating greater awareness of the disease.
Today, Movember focuses not only on prostate cancer, but also on testicular cancer, men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
Breaking the stigma of men’s mental health
Mental health issues are universal, but men often face challenges that make it difficult to address these problems.
Traditional gender roles and social expectations often discourage men from speaking about their emotions or seeking help. Terms like “man up” and “big boys don’t cry” might seem harmless, but they can help perpetuate a damaging stigma around male vulnerability.
Despite depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems being common among men, they are significantly underreported.
Male suicide
In 2023, the suicide rate for males in England and Wales rose to 17.4 deaths per 100,000, up from 16.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 and the highest rate recorded for males since 1999, reported the Office for National Statistics. (1)
The highest rate of suicide in 2023 was among men aged 45 to 49 years (25.5 per 100,000), while males accounted for around three-quarters of suicide deaths registered that year (4,506 male deaths; 1,563 female deaths), continuing a trend seen since the mid-1990s.
How Movember supports men’s mental health
Movember’s mental health initiatives focus on prevention, early intervention and fostering supportive communities. A key aspect of Movember’s approach is funding innovative mental health programmes tailored specifically for men, which aim to create environments where men feel comfortable discussing their mental health struggles and seeking help to tackle them.
In the words of Prostate Cancer UK, Movember: “is when brave and selfless men around the world grow a moustache, and women step up to support them, all to raise awareness and funds for men’s health …” (2)
The are over five million Movember supporters across the world. Between them, they have helped raise over £400 million for men’s health issues and fund more than 1,200 innovative men’s health projects in some 20 countries.
Tips for men concerned about their mental health
Recognising mental health issues and taking steps towards seeking help can be challenging.
The first step is to recognise the signs, which can include symptoms such as persistent sadness, irritability, changes in sleep patterns and loss of interest in activities.
If you think you’re struggling with your mental health, try to talk about your feelings with friends, family, a charity or a mental health professional. Learning to talk about poor mental health is a big step towards improving your mental wellbeing.
For anyone who thinks that a man in their life might be struggling with his mental health, helping him talk about it can be a great help.
Advice on how to start that conversation is available online from various sources, including Mind’s Seeking help for a mental health problem and the Mental Health Foundation’s Talking about mental health.
If you’re thinking of seeking professional help, look for a therapist who specialises in men’s mental health or the specific issue/s that are challenging you. Finding the right therapist can make a big difference.
Remember to look after yourself and incorporate self-care into your daily routine by exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and even trying mindfulness practices (for ideas, see the NHS Mindfulness page).
Growing a moustache is our symbol for better men’s health.
Movember UK (3)
It also grabs attention and starts important conversations.
So give it a go – it shows the world you stand for healthier men and a healthier world.
How psychotherapists can help men with their mental health issues
Professional psychotherapists have an important role to play in addressing men’s mental health issues. Psychotherapists are trained to help people understand and manage their mental health issues and provide a safe space for people to explore their thoughts and feelings without judgement.
By addressing individual needs, psychotherapists can help clients develop coping mechanisms and strategies to deal with their mental health challenges.
Therapeutic techniques used by psychotherapists include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), talking therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies. Each approach has its benefits and can be used to address specific mental health issues.
Seeking help from a professional can be life-changing, as men can discover what underlying issues might be contributing to their mental health problems, and how to manage their mental health proactively and improve their emotional wellbeing.
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Here at MTS Psychological Health, I am passionate about your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Don’t suffer psychological issues in silence: get in touch and discover how I can help you to alleviate a range of anxiety and depression symptoms from mild to severe presentations.
We can discuss the best clinical way to alleviate your suffering, which may be either through a course of psychoanalytic psychotherapy or with EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique / Tapping) and Aromatherapy, so you can enjoy life to the full again.
References
1 Office for National Statistics: Suicides in England and Wales: 2023 registrations
2 Prostate Cancer UK: Movember
3 Movember UK: official website
