Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing a health crisis, yet it’s rarely talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent. Men are dying on average 6 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons. Unchecked, prostate cancer rates will double over the next 15 years. Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men aged 15-39 years of age. And across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 75% of all suicides. Movember is uniquely placed to address this crisis on a global scale. We fund groundbreaking projects all over the world, engaging men where they are to understand what works best and accelerate change.
Mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer – we’re taking them all on. Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men.
Now in its 13th year in the US, the annual moustache growing campaign encourages ‘Mo Bros’ and ‘Mo Sisters’ across the country, to rally in support of Movember’s cause areas; men’s mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Movember’s US Country Director Mark Hedstrom said, “If there has ever been a time to embrace Movember and shave down and then grow a Mo, it is now. It has been an incredibly difficult year, which makes this year’s campaign our most important, yet. “Research conducted by Movember shows us the effects of the pandemic on men’s mental health is particularly concerning, and it is still far from over. Job losses, relationship stresses and social isolation are continuing to take a toll. In response, we’ve been working hard to fast-track digital mental health resources, to address the need.” Every donation, no matter how small adds up. Signing up for Mo-season is also great way to stay connected within your own social circles, as it’s been shown that supporting others can improve your own wellbeing.
*OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED *
· Move for Movember- Commit to running or walking 60 miles over the month. That’s 60 miles for the 60 men we lose to suicide each hour, every hour across the world. You can join a team or run solo.
· Host a Mo-ment- Rally a crew and do something fun. Hosting is all about having a good time for a good cause. And you can always put a virtual spin on your plans. The best part? Virtual events are easy to organize, cheap to run and you can go in your slippers. Think an online gaming tournament, Mo Bingo or a virtual trivia night.
· Mo Your Own Way- A choose-your-own-adventure challenge, epic in scope and scale. You make the rules. You set the limits and chase them down. Take a hike, run a relay, ride your motorcycle from New York to Los Angeles. Get creative, push your limits and inspire donations with sheer grit.
Crisis support can be found at Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 to get connected with a crisis counselor www.crisistextline.org or through the National suicide prevention lifeline at
1-800-273-8255.
Aired November 8, 2020: Lisa Foxx talks to Rich Loesing with the Movember Foundation about how they turned November into 'Movember,' a month dedicated to putting the spotlight on Men's health issues and all the ways folks can come together to make a HUGE DIFFERENCE, a life-saving difference. Its not too late to start growing a 'Mo' aka mustache, get Mo-ving, host a Mo-ment or Mo-your own way. All of the info about getting involved and helping to to make a difference at www.movember.com