Movember: Why Prioritizing Men's Mental and Physical Health Matters
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Mental health can be a difficult topic for anyone due to the stigma surrounding seeking support or talking about mental health in many cultures. While there have been shifts in the public consciousness over the importance of mental health over the years, changes have been slow in taking root, especially regarding mental health issues in men. Movember is a movement that began a little over two decades ago. Still, it has made significant strides in advancing the conversation about men’s health (including mental health) during that time.
The origin story of Movember: From testicular and prostate cancer to encompassing all men’s health
Movember was born in 2003, as a group of 30 men in Melbourne, Australia decided to see if they could resurrect the fashion of men’s moustaches by challenging each other to grow theirs out during the month of November. When founding members realized that growing moustaches generated conversation, they created a website and began to raise money for prostate cancer. By 2006, they received official Australian charity status. In the intervening years, they’ve partnered with a number of other nonprofits, including the Irish Cancer Society, the Mental Health Foundation of NZ, and Livestrong.
In 2010, Movember launched its first directly funded project, the Global Action Plan, to accelerate prostate cancer research. They expanded into hundreds of men’s health initiatives, and as a result, scientists discovered genetic components of one of the most common forms of testicular cancer. They also expanded to mental wellness projects for men and boys and created mass media campaigns to raise awareness of barriers in men’s mental health.
The link between men’s health and mental health
Expanding the Movember Foundation’s research into mental health made sense for the period. For example, research demonstrates strong connections between mental health and physical health. Mental disorders can increase the risk of metabolic disorders, as well as cardiovascular disorders and immune dysfunction. For men in particular, supporting mental health can save lives and prevent death from preventable causes. Too many men subscribe to the idea that it’s “weak” to seek help if they aren’t feeling well.
The challenges of mental health for men
Stigma and stereotypes continue to make men’s mental health a challenging problem in the modern world. Historically, Western society has favored a “strong, silent man” archetype, and this idea has been difficult to challenge, though more organizations and individuals are starting to discuss it.
Stressors for men
Common stressors for men may include loneliness, lack of purpose, relationship problems, work difficulties, and financial strain. Loneliness has been identified as a global problem with significant negative impacts on mental health. However, the archetype men often strive for can prevent them from seeking companionship, especially from other men.
Bullying and stigma
When admitting loneliness or other problems, men can run into more barriers than women. While Pew Research Center found that men and women report loneliness at roughly the same rate, women are more likely to reach out to a support network than men. Traditional gender norms for men often prevent them from seeking closeness from their male friends, and they often fear bullying from others if they show signs of “weakness” or “femininity.”
Societal expectations surrounding men’s health
Societal expectations in Western culture can be harmful. The extreme individualism of the United States bred the popular “cowboy” image of masculinity, in which a “real man” “mans up” or “sucks it up” in complicated situations. Therefore, many men may repress their feelings when feeling emotional pain. They may also fear loss of community or social ostracization if they are honest about their feelings.
Men’s mental health statistics
Below are statistics on common mental health concerns that impact mental health and their prevalence in the male population:
- Around 14.3% of males in the US have experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year.
- Around 30.6% of men will experience a period of depression in their lifetime.
- The suicide rate in men is around 4 times higher than in women.
- Drug misuse (previously called drug abuse) is more common in young men, with 22% of men using illegal drugs in the past year.
- Around 4% of adult men in the United States experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in any given year.
Research also shows that men are less likely to seek and receive mental health treatment than women and that symptoms of anxiety and depression more often manifest as anger. An alarming statistic is the suicide rate in men, which researchers believe may be due to the greater risk of impulsive behavior in that demographic. The Movember Foundation uses this hairy month to contribute resources toward suicide prevention in men, among other mental health initiatives.
How to reduce the stigma about men’s mental health
Abolishing mental health stigma for men may not be a fast or straightforward task, as stigma is a multidimensional problem that has been embedded in culture for centuries. However, there are some strategies that, if implemented, may move society forward over time, including but not limited to the following.
Addressing issues beyond prostate cancer and testicular cancer
Don’t let your loved ones avoid talking about mental disorders. If you notice symptoms in a loved one, address their feelings with empathy and validation. Some men may not know how their behavior affects others, so share what you see and encourage them to seek mental health care with your full support. In addition, if you are a man, talking openly about your own mental health can encourage other men in your life to do the same.
Communication
Just because men don’t typically talk about their feelings doesn’t mean that they aren’t experiencing them. Normalize talking to the men in your life about how they feel. Check in with them frequently, and keep an open line of communication.
Normalizing treatment in Movember
Encourage your male friends, family members, and romantic partners to seek mental health care if they need it. In addition, if you seek therapy yourself, talk about your experiences and be open about the fact that you’re receiving help.
How you can participate in Movember
Public initiatives like Movember thrive when people get involved and spread the word. Men can participate by growing mustaches and posting their progress with the hashtag # Movember while highlighting the men’s health initiatives they are supporting. Social media is a great way to share information about Movember, and it is how the event gained traction as a cause in the first place.
Anyone can donate to the Movember Foundation or set up a donation page. Additionally, you can create a team to raise funds or find an event in your area. For a full list of ways you can support the cause, visit the Movember Foundation website.
Where to find resources for men’s mental health
The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a number of resources for men’s mental health, including support groups, addiction help, online communities, self-help groups, and local therapists. You can also visit other organizations like:
Taking care of your own mental health
As a man, one way you can support the men’s health cause is to support your own mental health. Be an example of strength and vulnerability by sharing your own challenges with friends and family and addressing any stress or mental health disorder you may experience. Potential tips for managing general stress include:
- Getting regular exercise
- Participating in activities or hobbies that offer joy or meaning
- Creating and maintaining strong social relationships
- Prioritizing sufficient and quality sleep
- Journaling
- Practicing mindfulness and meditation
- Practicing talking about your emotions with loved ones
Therapy as a tool for mental health and men’s health
If you find that despite self-care, you are experiencing symptoms of mental disorder or challenge, such as feelings of fear, anger, or sadness that interfere with your daily life and relationships, therapy is an effective way to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. A licensed therapist can offer tools to improve relationships and manage stress around work or home life.
Men with busy schedules may find online therapy an effective solution. Research has shown that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy, and with online platforms like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a therapist by filling out a quick online questionnaire. You can then meet with your therapist by video chat, phone, or live chat from the comfort of your own home or office. In addition, you can choose to work with a male therapist if doing so makes you more comfortable.
Takeaway
What are the rules of Movember?
According to the Movember website, participants must start the month of November with a clean-shaven face and grow a mustache over the course of the month. Movember is intended to raise awareness and funds for men’s health.
What is the difference between Movember and No Shave November?
No Shave November is an annual event during which people can raise money and donate it to the charities of their choice. Meanwhile, Movember is a charitable organization. In addition, Movember asks participants to grow a mustache, whereas No Shave November asks them to completely stop shaving for the month.
Is Movember just mustaches?
Movember participants are asked to grow mustaches during the month of November. However, the mission of Movember is to raise awareness and funds for various aspects of men’s health.
How can girls participate in Movember?
Women can participate in Movember by moving 60 miles throughout the month to recognize the 60 men lost to suicide each hour. They can also make a donation to Mo Bros or Mo Sisters and encourage men to be proactive about their health.
What are some fun facts about Movember?
Movember began in Australia in 2003. As of 2022, it had funded more than 1250 men’s health projects.
Which health issues are the focus of Movember?
Movember generally focuses on three key areas of health. These key areas include testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.
Is Movember for mental health?
One of Movember’s three focuses is mental health. However, this aspect of Movember is often less discussed than the areas of testicular and prostate cancer.
What percentage of men don't talk about their mental health?
There aren’t currently accurate statistics on the percentage of men who don’t talk about their mental health. However, the Anxiety & Depression Association of America reports that less than half of men with mental health disorders receive treatment.
What is the biggest mental health concern in men?
One of the most notable concerns when it comes to men’s mental health is that they are much more likely than women to die by suicide. It’s also believed that many mental health disorders are underdiagnosed in men.
Why are men less likely to go to therapy?
It’s thought that men are less likely to go to therapy due to socialized gender roles and stigma. Men often believe that they will be seen as weak if they seek help or admit that they’re struggling.
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