What is Movember? How Mustaches Are Breaking Men's Mental Health Taboos Around The World

Movember:  The month of November is dedicated to the men in our lives. The month marks the onset of several occasions for men from ‘No Not November’ to International Men’s Day on 19 November and growing mustaches for ‘Movember’. 

Movember, if you are wondering, is an annual global movement taking place every November to raise awareness about men’s mental and physical health. Men grow their mustaches all through the month of November to spark conversations about their health and well-being. 

Despite being a global event, India, where men are 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide in comparison to women, is still sleeping on Movember. 

So here is all you need to know about the annual movement of Movember. 

What is Movember?

Simply put, Movember is an annual global event to break taboos around men’s mental and physical well-being as well as raise awareness about it. Several states like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and more are regular participants of the event and have also managed to raise significant charity for the treatment of men suffering from physical and mental health issues. 

The name Movember comes from Mo, the Australian word for Mustache, and the English month of November. The Movember Foundation was founded in 2003 by Travis Garone, Luke Slattery, Adam Garone, and Justin Coghlan. 

Initially, it was only a light-hearted challenge to revive the mustache trends of the 70s, and soon they turned it into a mission to raise awareness, and charity for prostate cancer.

Causes Movember Supports

Movember primarily supports three main causes i.e. prostate cancer- the most common cancer among men globally, testicular cancer- which typically affects younger men, men’s mental health, and suicide prevention, by destigmatizing it. The charity it raises works towards early cancer detection, diagnosis, and effective treatments of the above-mentioned causes to reduce the number of preventable deaths among men. 

The mustache is their symbol of the movement and its causes. The Movember Foundation has been successful in raising $837 million and funded over 1,200 projects in more than 20 countries. 

Impact of Movember 

Celebrities like Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth have been vocal advocates and supporters of the Movember movement and foundation. The event has been made a success by the active participation of the women as well. 

Movember is highlighting the health concerns that plague especially men. The growing of mustache is encouraging conversations surrounding preventable issues, spreading awareness, and destigmatizing men’s mental health. As a global event, it is a display of camaraderie and solidarity.