If you’ve seen conspicuously many men running around with a mustache this month, then this might be due to an awareness campaign called Movember. The Movember Foundation spreads awareness for men’s physical and mental health in the month of November, trying to address some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. We want to help spread awareness. Read along to find out more about men’s health, what you can do, and how you can support Movember.
Why Movember?
No one really talks about it. But the shocking truth is that, on average, men die six years earlier than women. By 2030, the Movember Foundation aims to reduce the number of men deaths by 25%, by raising funds and awareness for the following health crises:
- Mental health and suicide prevention: In the traditional view, men are often seen as the “strong ones”. This leads to men not talking about their mental health problems. However, the sad truth is that every minute of every day, a man commits suicide worldwide. This makes suicide the leading cause of death among men under the age of 45.
- Prostate cancer: In the UK, 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer throughout their life.
- Testicular cancer: In the UK, testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men.
5 things worth knowing about men’s health
The Movember Foundation has shared 5 things that are important for you to know about men’s health. Read through them, learn them by heart, live them, and pass them along to help others.
- Make Man Time. Stay connected. Spending time with your friends is good for you. Catch up regularly, check in and make time.
- Have open conversations. Talk about what’s really going on. Listen. Being there for someone can be lifesaving.
- Know the numbers. At 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer. If you’re of African or Caribbean descent, or have a family history of prostate cancer, have the conversation at 45.
- Know thy nuts. Give them a feel regularly and get to know what’s normal for you. Something doesn’t seem right? Go to the doctor.
- Move more. Get active on a daily basis. Do more of what makes you feel good
Supporting men’s health
The Movember Foundation has projects around the world to promote healthy actions and behaviors. If you want to support them, you can
- grow yourself a mustache to raise awareness
- move for Movember: join a 60km run for the 60 men lost to suicide each hour across the world
- or donate money to support their various projects.
How you can help at PenPal? Be there for your pal, be open and listen to their problems, and make them aware of Movember. It is only a small part that we can contribute with our actions, but every open ear can help a man around the world. We want to foster honest and meaningful conversations at PenPal – and talking about how you feel physically and mentally is an important part of it.
