Coming to you by November 30, 2015
November, for us in the southern part of the world summer is only around the corner, while up north the chills of winter are creeping in. Christmas decorations are starting to make their early appearance in shopping centres, and upper lips are starting to gain more and more hair as the days go by.
It's the glorious time of year that can only be known as Movember, and I finally got my act together and set up my page. Yay for organisation!
"The Movember Foundation is a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier, longer lives. Since 2003, millions have joined the men’s health movement, raising $685 million and funding over 1,000 programs focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity."
For me, in case it wasn't already obvious, my focus is making change to men's mental health. An unfortunate "masculine" stereotype has fuelled the myth that men don't have emotions. Well they do, and even though women are reported to be more likely to suffer with a mental illness, men are 3 times more like to complete suicide.
The stigma that surrounds mental health and illness is something that can be seen and felt throughout all areas of society. Despite this, it is most prevalent and deeply ingrained amongst men. This needs to change. Working on mental health not only aims to remove suicide as a leading cause of death for young people, but further aims to improve the quality of life for the millions of sufferers across the globe.
Movember is the perfect time of year for stigma to be broken, whether it be around mental health or cancer screenings. It is a time for men to be men, to put aside their fears and check in with themselves. For them to go to their doctors, get screened and tested.
Week 1
Whatever fear there may be, it needs to be put aside. An uncomfortable few minutes may prevent a painful few years, for both you and your loved ones.
Early intervention for both physical and mental illness can significantly increase the chance of recovery.
To make a donation click here.
More information about Movemeber can be found on their website.
