Movember keeps growing

Joining the nice weather and increasing social liberties over the next month will be a worldwide increase in moustaches as another Movember begins.

It might be a walrus, Dali, handlebar or lampshade; it might grow quickly, slowly or not at all – but all will raise money for vital research into men’s health.

Movember raises money to fund research and studies into the key issues impacting men’s health. The charity identifies mental health, suicide prevention and prostate and testicular cancer as those key issues.

“If there’s ever been a time to embrace Movember and shed those lockdown beards, it’s now, in 2020. It’s been an incredibly difficult year for men, which makes this year’s campaign our most important, yet,” Movember’s APAC country director Rachel Carr said.

“Research conducted by Movember shows us the effects of the pandemic on men’s mental health in particular, is concerning, and is still far from over. Job losses, relationship stresses and social isolation are taking a toll. We’ve been working hard to fast-track digital mental health resources, like Movember Conversations, to address the need.”

People have several avenues to get involved throughout November. Most notably by growing a moustache and tracking its progress online; raising awareness and funds as they go.

The charity also encourages participants to ‘make a move’ by running or walking over 60kms over the month. The distance references the 60 men lost to suicide each hour across the globe.

Movember was started by Luke Slattery and Travis Garone over a beer at a Melbourne pub in 2003.

Now, 17 years later the ‘mo is back on the map and more importantly, the charity has raised $1.16 billion worldwide. Movember is now the leading charity tackling men’s health issues worldwide.

Despite the charities success, they believe men’s health is still in crisis. A document available on the Movember website states that men are dying six years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons.

For these reasons and many more, their message is as vital as ever. Head to movember.com to see how you can get involved.