Movember: Moving and grooming for men’s health awareness

It’s Movember, and in an effort to get men talking about their health, break down stigma, and encourage early detection and treatment for issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health and suicide prevention, people around the world are… growing mustaches.

What began in Australia in 2003, when a small group of friends decided to bring back the mustache as a way to spark conversation about men’s health, is now a global movement; the Movember Foundation runs official campaigns in over 20 countries. People who participate, grow and groom a mustache throughout the month, fundraise for men’s health causes and take part in fitness challenges or events. Below Trinity Episcopal Church’s Father Andrew Garnett – who has committed to significantly cut back his substantial beard and grow out his mustache should he raise $500 by November 1 – explains why he’s choosing to once again take part in the movement. He has already pledged to run/walk 60 miles in November as part of his fundraising. You can support his efforts here. 

Every November we see the mustaches grow and while it might start as a fun tradition, Movember represents something much deeper. For me it is personal. My father died of kidney disease, and his struggle taught me that men’s health, both physical and mental, is not something we can afford to ignore. Too often men stay silent about their pain, convinced that strength means enduring rather than sharing. But real strength is vulnerability. It is checking in with your doctor, admitting you are struggling, and talking to the people who love you.

Men die too young, too often, from preventable diseases, from depression, from isolation. Movember calls us to change that story. It is about raising awareness for cancers that affect men, for suicide prevention, and for overall wellbeing. It is a reminder that taking care of your health does not make you weak; it means you want to live well and long for those who depend on you.

So I grow a mustache, not because it looks good, but because it starts conversations. It is a symbol that says, “I care about men’s health. I care about life.” This month I honor my dad and every father, brother and friend we have lost too soon by encouraging others to get screened, to speak up, to check in and to stay connected. Movember is not about vanity. It is about visibility. It is about changing the face of men’s health, one mustache and one honest conversation at a time.