Movember: Growing Beards for Strong Minds, Raising Awareness for Men’s Health

This article is brought to you by our partners at Learn to Live. Learn to Live is a free wellness and mental health service offered to all Pension Fund members who are active ministers and their household members (spouse/Qualified Domestic Partner and children) over the age of 13. Learn more on our Learn to Live page. 

November is that time of the year when some men stop shaving and grow cool mustaches and beards. Do you know why? It’s called Movember, and it’s all about building awareness about men’s health, including mental health.

Just like anyone else, men can feel sad or stressed at times. Many men feel they must hide their feelings and show strength at all times. The Movember Initiative began in 2003 in Australia when a group of friends decided to grow mustaches to raise awareness about men's health, particularly prostate cancer. Since then, the initiative has grown into a worldwide phenomenon that extends its reach beyond cancer to address a wide range of men's health issues, including mental health. Encouraging men to acknowledge and talk about their mental health is important. Sharing how you feel is not a sign of weakness and instead encourages others to speak up about their own struggles. Celebrate Movember by trying these following things:

• Spread awareness. Share the movement with your friends and family.
• If you have a friend or colleague who is struggling, reach out. Invite them to dinner or a coffee and let them know you are here to support them.
• Take care of your own mental and physical health. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, moving your body, and find time to do preventative care.

Men, Movember is a great opportunity to focus on your mental health. By taking care of your mind and talking openly, you become stronger inside. Women, you can participate too by spreading awareness and engaging in conversations about men’s mental health. Let’s make this Movember a time to grow not only cool beards but also strong minds.

Learn to Live can help.

In their ongoing effort to reduce stigma around mental health, it’s important that everyone encourages men to be open to talking about their feelings and aware of their symptoms. Learn to Live offers support that is free of charge all year long. Start a self-paced digital program for Stress, Anxiety & Worry, Depression, Social Anxiety, Insomnia or Substance use —or connect with an expert, supportive coach.

Get started today by visiting our Learn to Live page. If you’re already a member, simply sign in with your username and password.

Gifts by generous donors to Ministerial Relief and Assistance (MRA) make programs like Learn to Live possible. Learn more about MRA here.