Saving Men – The Movember Movement

November 22nd, 2023

For the last 20 years, the Movember movement has saved the lives of fathers, sons, brothers, and friends worldwide. Movember is a non-profit organisation that has funded over 1320 projects – building awareness of men’s mental health, suicide, and prostate and testicular cancer. It’s a lifesaver.

When 6 became 6 million strong

In 2003, 6 men sat in a bar in Australia discussing the possibility of the Movember concept, and now, 20 years later, they are 6 million strong.

The Movember movement has changed the face of men’s health by giving them the facts they need. Movember uses the power of mass media to drive behaviour change, bringing together experts from around the world to collaborate and raising money to invest in tools, treatments and projects.

They listen to men and become an advocate on their behalf.

When the Mo calls

Over 20 countries participate in fundraising events during the month of November. Men grow facial hair such as the iconic moustache or a stylish beard. They get active, host events, and make their own way of raising money for such an important cause.

On the last day of October, men hear the Mo calling, they get their game face on, surrender to the shave, and then, there is a mass shave down. November becomes a hairy, fuzzy, itchy experience, and Mo-inspired men unite wearing a new look, saving another man’s life through the kind actions they have taken.

Not dying before their time

Movember promotes men living a healthy, happy and long life and not dying before their time.

Leaders educate men, relieve their suffering and help to drain away overwhelming stress. No matter the severity of depression, anxiety, stress or worry, a person’s feelings are valid – not to be mocked or questioned. The Movember movement wants to send a message to sufferers – don’t stay silent. Reach out and share your worries and concerns.

They fund thousands of projects to help people, teaching them techniques for self-preservation, helping them make changes and encouraging them to have an active lifestyle and better social interaction.

Most recently, Movember has funded the ‘Veterans and First Responders Mental Health Grant Scheme’, evaluating mental health and preventing suicide. There are 15 global similar projects.

Suicide crisis lines

With Covid not long gone, the recession and the cost of living crisis, people are facing even more mental health challenges. Debt, illness, loss and relationship breakdowns can take their toll on the mind and body. Movember not only highlights the importance of men’s mental and physical health but also offers the opportunity for men to gain access to support groups.

Sadly, the help men need comes too late, and they end their lives. Every suicide is an unnecessary tragedy – 75-80% of deaths by suicide are men. It’s an alarming statistic.

Suicide crisis lines can be found in many countries worldwide. If you are a sufferer, click here to find the support you need in the country where you live.

Self-help

It can be hard to implement self-help strategies when you aren’t in a good head space, but you can do it by making good choices. Tell family and friends you are struggling, seek advice from a doctor or therapist and make lifestyle changes. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, avoid stimulants and make time to relax. Use good time management, exercise and make time to socialise.

Stress, anxiety and depression can limit the body’s ability to fight physical ailments, the body can struggle to battle against illness and disease

We all fight battles in our heads, experiencing conflicting emotions and sometimes bad thoughts. Fear, exhaustion, hopelessness and unhappiness can result in very negative actions – procrastination, anger or a withdrawal from society for example. Stress, anxiety and depression can limit the body’s ability to fight physical ailments, the body can struggle to battle against illness and disease.

The Movember movement builds awareness of prostate and testicular cancer

Whilst experts don’t know the exact cause of prostate or testicular cancer there are known factors that can increase the risk of those types of diseases – age, family history, obesity and diet.

Prostate and testicular cancer – keep checking those nuts and balls

For men, an increased need to wee, a prostate gland enlargement, a lump or a swelling can be a concern, and a man should go to their doctor if they experience those symptoms.

Cases of advanced prostate cancer have increased

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder. It surrounds the top portion of the tube that drains urine from the bladder. Its primary function is to produce fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Prostate cancer develops slowly and can go unnoticed for years. Symptoms include – an increased need to wee, straining when weeing, the feeling that you need to go for a wee and prostate gland enlargement. The disease is diagnosed with an examination, MRI scan or PSA test. Treatment can include the watch-and-wait (surveillance) approach or surgery with a potential need for radiotherapy afterwards. Approximately 52, 000 men in the UK and 288,000 men in the US are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.

Cases of testicular cancer are slowing down

The testicles are oval-shaped sex organs that sit inside the scrotum on either side of the penis. They produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. They are sometimes called testes.

Testicular cancer starts when germ cells divide and grow uncontrolled, eventually forming a tumour. Signs include a lump or swelling in the testicles or a ‘heavy’ scrotum. The disease is diagnosed by a doctor, but further testing is needed. The survival rate is high. Treatment can include surgery, chemo or radiotherapy. Feeling for lumps in the testicles should become part of a man’s daily routine. In 2020, there were 74,458 men diagnosed with testicular cancer.

The Movember movement has changed the face of men’s health bringing guidance and hope to men – our fathers, sons, brothers, and friends worldwide.

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