Movember: A Month for Men’s Health and Mental Well-being

It’s Movember time again! November is widely recognized as a month dedicated to men’s health, with the Movember movement bringing focus to mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably noticed rugby and football players—especially in Europe and the U.S.—sporting moustaches this month. It’s all part of a global campaign to raise awareness, spark conversations, and ultimately improve men’s health.

This year, I’m growing a moustache to support the cause (though my wife is less than thrilled about it!). Last year, I made it two weeks in, but muscle memory got the better of me, and without thinking, I shaved it off one morning. This time, I’m determined to make it through—moustache and all!

Movember began in 2003 and has since supported over 1,300 men’s health projects worldwide, funding vital research, reshaping men’s health services, and tackling the stigma around mental health. Today, it's a global movement, with around five million people involved, including “Mo Sisters”—the supportive women who encourage the men in their lives to take charge of their health.

Why is Movember so crucial? Because men’s health is facing a real crisis. Men die, on average, 4.5 years younger than women, often for preventable reasons. With 10.8 million men worldwide living with a prostate cancer diagnosis and testicular cancer being the most common cancer among young men, the need for awareness and action is undeniable. Tragically, a man dies by suicide every minute worldwide, accounting for 69% of all suicides.

There’s still a stigma surrounding men’s mental health, largely rooted in how society has traditionally taught men to “tough it out” and “keep it together.” Many men were raised to think showing emotion is “weak” or “unmanly,” that they should always be in control, or that discussing mental health might affect their careers. These ideas can make it tough for men to seek help when they need it.

Thankfully, times are changing, and the stigma around men’s mental health is slowly lifting. But that doesn’t mean the men in our lives couldn’t use a little extra encouragement to prioritize their well-being. So, if you notice someone you know sporting a moustache this month, strike up a conversation—it’s not just a look; it’s a movement for healthier, happier men.