By Justin Geange
WELL, it’s almost that time of year again, when caterpillars hibernate for a month on the upper lips of big-hearted humans, where important decisions are made: like will it be the Walrus, or how about the Horseshoe or maybe the classic Handlebar? Yes, Movember is here.
Every November for the last 23 years, people around Australia and now the world have been growing a moustache, getting active or running events for men’s health.
What started in 2003 with 30 mates from Melbourne trying to bring back the moustache has become a worldwide phenomenon: over 7 million people in 20 different countries raising over 1.8 billion dollars for prostate cancer research, testicular cancer awareness, mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Like thousands of Australians, I too have been personally impacted by mental health and suicide. I have lost an uncle to testicular cancer and have had many family members and friends impacted by prostate cancer, and many other male-specific cancers and diseases.
So, for me, the Movember messaging is personal, as I know it is for so many people in our families, our workplaces and our communities.
Every year in Australia, we lose 10 men a day to prostate cancer, 6 men a day to suicide and 60 to 80 people each year to testicular cancer.
So, this November, what could you do? Maybe you could support or donate to a Mo Bro or Mo Sister; maybe you could sign up to grow a Mo or get active!
Or more importantly, let it be a great reminder to check in on yourself, because we can’t pour from an empty cup. Then we can check in on a mate, a friend or a family member because a text, a call or a knock on the door may just be what someone in your world needs right now.
Who could you reach out to?
For more information in the Movember Campaign, please go to https://movember.com/.
If anything in this article has impacted or rattled you, please reach out and talk to someone you trust, or call/text Lifeline 131 114 / 0447 131 114.
