What is Movember?

Movember is more than just moustaches; it’s a yearly event where participants grow out their facial hair in November, turning it into a conversation starter for men’s health. Movember is all about raising awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer and mental health challenges including stress, depression and men’s suicide.

At Butter Fish Services, this cause is close to our hearts. Our Behaviour Support Practitioners and Occupational Therapists are right there with our clients, supporting them through mental health challenges. According to Suicide Prevention Australia, males are around 3 times more likely to die by suicide than females. It’s a crucial issue that we need to address. 

If you, a mate or a loved one are currently struggling with stress, depression or anxiety, make a referral and speak to one of our Support Practitioners today. For immediate assistance, call LifeLine on 13 11 14.

What is the history of Movember?

The history of Movember can be traced back to 2003, when two Australian friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, were having a beer at a bar in Melbourne. They decided to start a movement to bring back the moustache, as it had become increasingly rare in recent years. They also decided to use the movement to raise awareness for men’s health issues.

Garone and Slattery recruited 30 of their friends to join them in growing moustaches during the month of November, and called the movement “Movember”.

Movember quickly gained popularity in Australia, and soon spread to other countries around the world. In 2004, Movember became an official non-profit organisation.

Today, Movember is one of the largest men’s health movements in the world. It has raised over $1.7 billion for men’s health initiatives in the last 20 years. Movember also funds research and education programs to improve the lives of men.

Movember has had a significant impact on men’s health awareness. It has helped to break down the stigma associated with men’s health issues and has encouraged men to talk about their health and seek medical help when needed.

Movember has also helped to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Early detection of these cancers can lead to better treatment outcomes and improved survival rates.

Movember is a great example of how a simple idea can turn into a global movement that makes a real difference in the lives of people.

The original story can be found on Movember’s website.

What does Movember want to Achieve?

Movember’s Mission and Focus

Movember’s mission is to help men live happier, healthier, longer lives. They do this by focusing on the three biggest health issues faced by men: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Movember collaborates with world experts on projects that improve, treat, and support the physical and mental health of men.

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Movember recognises that mental health is just as important as physical health. They fund programs that promote mental health and well-being for men, and they work to raise awareness of suicide prevention. Movember also encourages men to talk about their mental health and to seek help when needed. At Butter Fish, we’re on the same wavelength. We highly encourage men to seek counselling support and talk to one of our therapists to put a support plan in place. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about raising awareness; it’s about making a real, personal impact on mental well-being.

Prostate & Testicular Cancer

Movember is one of the leading funders of prostate and testicular cancer research in the world. They fund projects that focus on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of these cancers and provide support for men who are living with prostate or testicular cancer and their families.

Collaboration and Knowledge Translation

Movember collaborates with world experts on projects that improve the lives of men. They also share knowledge across borders to extend their reach and progress faster. Movember’s knowledge translation framework helps to ensure that the latest research on men’s health is translated into practice, so that men can benefit from it as quickly as possible.

Transparency and Accountability

Being a transparent and accountable organisation, Movember reports on every project that they fund, so that their supporters can see how their donations are making a difference. Movember is committed to using donations efficiently and effectively to achieve their mission of helping men live happier, healthier, longer lives.

Men’s Mental Health In Australia & Globally

Movember recognises that mental health is just as important as physical health. They fund programs that promote mental health and well-being for men, and they work to raise awareness of suicide prevention. Movember also encourages men to talk about their mental health and to seek help when needed, a stigma that’s slowly being broken, but still has a long way to go. 

Here are some statistics on how many men suffer from mental health issues in Australia and globally:

• Australia:
  • 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime.
  • 1 in 5 men will experience anxiety in their lifetime.
  • 1 in 2 men will develop a mental health condition by the age of 50.
  • Men are more likely to die from suicide than women, accounting for 75% of all suicides in Australia.

• Globally:
  • 1 in 5 men will experience depression in their lifetime.
  • 1 in 3 men will experience anxiety in their lifetime.
  • Men are more likely to die from suicide than women, accounting for 75% of all suicides globally.

These statistics are staggering, and they highlight the importance of mental health awareness and support for men. It is important to remember that you are not alone, and there is help available. If you are concerned about your own mental health or the mental health of someone you know, please reach out for help.

Why are men more likely to die by suicide?

It’s not just a statistic; it’s a narrative we’re passionate about changing. Men, for various reasons, tend to shy away from seeking help when grappling with mental health. Whether it’s societal expectations or the belief in shouldering burdens alone, it’s a tough reality we aim to transform.

What can we do to help?

So, what can we do to make a difference? At Butter Fish Services, we advocate for breaking the silence. Let’s start conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. Encourage the men in your life to reach out and seek the support they deserve.

Here are some resources that can help:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78
• Movember: https://au.movember.com/

Please remember that you are not alone, and there is help available.

Movember’s work in mental health and suicide prevention

Movember is a leading funder of men’s mental health and suicide prevention programs in Australia. They have funded a number of projects that are helping to improve men’s mental health and reduce the number of men who die by suicide.

For example, Movember has funded the development of the mates4blokes program, which is a training program that teaches men how to recognise and support their mates who are struggling with their mental health. Movember has also funded the development of the Movember Conversations app, which is a free app that helps men to have conversations about their mental health with their friends and family.

Movember’s work in mental health and suicide prevention is making a real difference in the lives of men in Australia. Thanks to Movember’s support, more men are seeking help for their mental health problems, and more men are talking to their loved ones about their feelings.

How can you get involved in Movember?

There are many ways to get involved in Movember. Here are a few ideas:

• Grow a moustache: This is the most iconic way to get involved in Movember. Simply start growing your moustache on November 1st and see where it takes you. You can even register your moustache on the Movember website to track your progress and raise money for men’s health.
• Donate: If you can’t grow a moustache, you can still support Movember by making a donation. Donations go towards funding research and programs that help men live happier, healthier, longer lives.
• Host a Movember event: Get your friends, family, or colleagues together for a Movember event. This could be anything from a barbecue to a charity run. Movember provides a number of resources to help you host a successful event.
• Talk about Movember: Spread the word about Movember and encourage others to get involved. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about men’s health and the importance of Movember’s work.

No matter how you choose to get involved, every little bit helps. Movember is a global movement, and every person who gets involved makes a difference.

Here are some additional ways to get involved in Movember:

• Join a Movember team: Movember teams are groups of people who get together to raise money for men’s health. Teams can be made up of friends, family, colleagues, or anyone else who is passionate about supporting Movember.
• Fundraise for a specific project: Movember funds a number of different research and programs. You can choose to fundraise for a specific project that is important to you.
• Become a Movember ambassador: Movember ambassadors are people who help to spread the word about Movember and encourage others to get involved. Ambassadors can be anyone, from celebrities to everyday people.

Join the cause and let’s start breaking the stigma around mens’ health. 

For help with physical and mental challenges, see one of our support practitioners today for a tailored support plan.