Movember & men’s health
Every November, we see more and more men sporting interesting choices of facial hair.
So much so that November has now become synonymous with facial hair, and it’s all for a great reason; men’s health.
The Movember Foundation raises awareness for the biggest health issues that affect men, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide.
Since its inception in 2003, the Movember movement has become global.
With support from over 5 million people worldwide, it’s great to see awareness being raised for such a worthy cause as men’s health.
By 2030, The Movember Foundation hope to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%.
Raising money for Movember
While Movember is very much a fun event, its objective is to raise vital funds and awareness around men’s health.
The most obvious and well-known way to get involved in Movember is to grow a moustache and dig out the sponsorship forms!
However, Movember isn’t just about growing 70s inspired moustaches, and it’s not just for men either; women can get involved by taking part in various challenges and fundraisers.
In fact, the Movember site has a whole host of ideas on how your entire workplace can come together to raise money for the cause.
Whether you take a physically gruelling challenge or choose to throw a Movember-inspired party, all funds can be donated to the same great cause and make a real difference.
The link between suicide and stress
Globally, the rate of suicide is alarmingly high, particularly in men.
With workplace stress having a greater impact on mental health, it’s important that employers do as much as they can to spot the signs before it’s too late.
By ensuring you have an open and supportive culture in the workplace, you can save lives.
Men have a harder time asking for help, and whilst 70% of men say their friends can rely on them for support, only 48% say that they rely on their friends.
With men already admitting they’d struggle to talk to a friend, it becomes even more crucial for employers to be mindful of how employees are coping and focusing on their mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Whilst the stigma surrounding mental health is slowly decreasing, the conversation needs to continue.
We’ve previously discussed how you can manage stress in the workplace and ensure you’re promoting a healthy and happy culture, but the most important thing to do is ensure you’ve always got an ear to lend when somebody needs it.
Small steps can make big changes
While we never know what’s around the corner, there are steps you can take to keep your health in check and ensure that any problems are caught early.
Here are a few things you can do to stay on top of your health:
- Make man time
Statistically speaking, men are less likely to open up than women. As such, it’s important that you stay connected with your male friends and check in with them regularly, so they’re more likely to talk to you if an issue or concern should arise. Plus, you’ll benefit from forming stronger friendships; it’s a no-brainer!
- Encourage openness
It’s not as scary as it seems. Sometimes a listening ear is all we need. Nobody expects you to have all the solutions, but simply being there for somebody will go a long way. A man dies from suicide every minute of every day, and three out of four suicides are men. With men’s suicide rates at an alarming high, listening can be life-saving.
- Know the numbers
Did you know that prostate cancer kills 45 men every hour of every day? As such, you should start talking to your doctor about prostate cancer when you reach 50. With regular check-ups and testing, you’ll be taking care of your future.
- Know your balls
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men under 40, with most men being diagnosed between 15 and 40 years old. You should check your testicles regularly and see a doctor if anything feels different.
- Move a little bit more
Staying active is important when it comes to improving health and overall wellbeing. Whether you take up a new sporting hobby or make a few changes to your existing routine, every little will help. Cycle or walk wherever possible, try to arrange more active catch-ups with friends than just going to the pub. Or, at the very least, walk to the pub!
If you want to know more about men’s health, get in touch today.
