You’ll probably notice a rise in the number of men in your workplace growing and grooming dapper moustaches this November as men’s health movement Movember enters its 19th year.
Movember is an annual charity event held by the Movember Foundation across the month of November where men grow – or attempt to grow – moustaches to raise funds and awareness for the most prominent health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide.
The charity is a leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health and has funded more than 1,250 initiatives across more than 20 countries since its launch in 2003.
Employees are the glue that hold any workplace together therefore, the physical and mental health and wellbeing of not only men, but everyone in the workplace, should always be the top priority.
That’s why this year, men everywhere will be growing their facial fleece and participating in Movember to raise valuable funds and awareness for men’s health issues that could one day affect either yourself or someone you care about.
How did Movember start?
Like any good story, this one also began with two men walking into a bar. Travis Garone and Luke Slattery were sitting in a pub in Melbourne when the two started to question why the moustache had started to disappear and joked about bringing it back into fashion.
Along with 28 of their mates, the men grew their upper lip hair with such enthusiasm that they decided to formalise the idea the following year when the number of participants grew to 450, raising $54,000 for Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia.
What’s the problem?
Men’s health is in crisis and is facing an ongoing battle with men dying on average six years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons.
The leading cause of death among Australian men is tragically suicide, with three out of every four suicides being committed by men. This adds up to more than half a million men taking their own life every year, or one man every single minute of every day.
Prostate cancer rates are predicted to double over the next 15 years, following in the dark footsteps of testicular cancer rates that have already doubled in the last 50.
What’s the solution?
The Movember Foundation funds the most innovative research both locally and globally, having established the largest ever international team of researchers and health experts.
The foundation is working with these experts to deliver innovation and knowledge sharing which has led to an acceleration of results in diagnosis and treatment for men both in Australia and around the world.
Their other goals include bringing facts to men on a global scale, creating services that work, listening to the community and changing behaviour for the better.
What can I do to help?
Men, become a true ‘Mo Bro’ this November and let the hair on your upper lip grow freely, and while you’re at it why not get your friends or a group of colleagues involved? Every hair grown, every dollar raised, and every conversation started are invaluable to the Movember movement and helping men across the globe.
On a personal level, make yourself aware of the warning signs for prostate and testicular cancer and regularly check yourself for any irregularities. Be open and honest about your mental health and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Staggeringly, many of these problems are entirely preventable if they’re spotted and treated early but the lack of knowledge, conversation and attention given to these issues simply compound their severity.
That’s why every little bit of action – whether it be a monetary donation or simply having a conversation and raising awareness for the movement – will assist the Movember Foundation in making meaningful, lasting, life-long changes to the lives of millions.
I’m a woman! Can I still get involved?
Absolutely! Women are encouraged to get involved in Movember by starting their own campaign (minus the moustache), supporting someone else’s or taking part in ‘Move.’
Instead of growing a moustache, men and women can commit to walking or running a total of 60km over the month of November, raising funds for the 60 men we lose to suicide each hour of every day.
Some Movember ideas for around the office
- Get every participant to lose all their facial hair on November 1 – no cheating. See if you can convince that guy in every office with the huge beard or moustache to lose the lot!
- Bake some moustache-themed cookies, brownies and cakes and sell them for a donation.
- Host a moustache-themed party and dress up as your favourite moustached celebrity, have a prized for best-dressed and encourage everyone to donate.
- Have collection boxes around the office and encourage your fellow colleagues to support your mo’ and donate.
- Hold a group shave-off at the end of the month, appreciate the mo’s of all different shapes and sizes, and count how much money you’ve raised over the 30 days.
