How can YOU be involved in Movember?

Integra Youth
1 day ago
3 min read

Have you ever wondered why people grow their moustaches in November? Well, a large part of this is wanting to be a part of a 20-year-old movement.

In 2003, a group of 30 men started a playful challenge of trying to grow a mustache during the month of November to bring it back into style. The idea was tied to men’s health after a friend’s mother was fundraising for breast cancer awareness. The following year, the founders partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to raise around $54,000. This was the first Movember campaign, which has now gained awareness in more than 20 countries. Also, it has developed into something more than just prostate cancer awareness and funding; it now deals with mental health, suicide prevention, prostate & testicular cancer.

Since Movember is greatly about gaining funding for men’s health problems, it may seem like a fully adult-involved event. However, there are many ways for youth to be involved as well, if you really want to. Here are a few ways to participate:

Start with Awareness & Have a Conversation

One of the most powerful ways to support Movember is by talking about it. Many men struggle with their problems silently because they feel pressured to “stay strong” or “man up.” However, talking about it openly can make them more likely to speak up when they’re struggling. Whether the issue is mental or physical health, you help make these kinds of conversations feel normal and reduce the pressure to stay strong.

Try this:

Share a post online or in your school/class group chat
Ask your friends and/or classmates if they have heard about Movember (word of mouth)
Encourage teachers and/or school clubs to mention men’s health in class discussions or newsletters

You never know--a singular post or conversation can change how someone feels about seeking help.

Instagram Challenge created by Teenagers; "Move for Movember"

Focus on Mental Health

Even though Movember started as a movement for raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer, it has recently become very focused on mental health topics and suicide prevention. Mental health has always carried a large amount of stigma, so talking openly about it can help people struggling with mental health feel more comfortable reaching out to someone. Many times, people struggling with their mental health can feel very sad or hopeless, which is something Movember works to prevent.

Sometimes, a simple “Hey, are you doing okay?” to somebody who seems quieter, more withdrawn, can make a huge impact.

You can also:

Organize a mental health support group with your friends or school
Create posters or online graphics for social media about mental health support resources
- In these posters, you can share your own self-care resources and strategies

Learn the Science behind Men's Health's

A lot of the time, supporting something means understanding it.

Did you know?

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among men, and early detection can save lives
Testicular cancer often affects younger men - even those in their teens or 20s
Mental health issues affect men just as much as women, but men are less likely to seek help due to stigma

Learning the facts and in-depth information can help you spread accurate information and debunk myths. Knowledge is power-- and support begins with understanding.

Take Action: Your Way

Movember might be about spreading awareness and gathering funding; however, that’s not all you can do. Anything you do to support Movember is considered taking action. For example, if you are a creative person, you might be more inclined to create posters or graphics as social media posts. If you’re an active person, you might be more inclined to organize a marathon or pushup challenge (being active can help people avoid health issues).

Other things could include:

Running small fundraisers
Wearing fake mustaches, if you can’t or don’t want to grow a real one

A small initiative can sometimes turn into something big-- awareness can save lives.

Students from The King's School Chester Moustache Day held in support of Movember

Final Notes

Movember might have started out as a physical health movement; however, it has expanded to include emotional, social, and mental health. Supporting Movember means creating safe spaces where boys and men are comfortable enough to talk about their problems without fear of stigma or humiliation.

So, this Movember, let’s challenge the stereotypes and stigmas surrounding men’s health and make a difference together by caring for ourselves and for others around us.

Written By: Krisha L