Now we’re into November, it’s time to take action in tackling men’s health on a global scale by joining the ‘Movember’ movement!
The Movember Foundation aims to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, depression and suicide prevention, in a firm attempt to ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths.
Besides annual check-ups, the Movember foundation encourages men to be aware of family history of cancer and to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The charity aims by 2030 to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%.
Especially in the North East we need to get more involved as a community to raise greater awareness about the ‘Movember’ movement.
Harry Chirnside, Vice President of Community and Events at Sunderland University’s Student Union said: “As well as trying to grow out my non-existent beard for the next month, I am also going to be taking part in 30 minutes of exercise every single day. We are going to be trying to do different types of moderate and light exercise. I am going to try my best to raise awareness!”
The Movember campaign also raises awareness for mental health. Statistics show that one in eight men in the UK have experienced a mental health problem. Unfortunately, the male suicide rate in 2013 was the highest since 2001.
Even though ‘Team Movember’ aim to be one unique team with the same sense of purpose; we still need to take action as part of a community to stay connected and look after our mental health.
The Movember Foundation urges men to check in with family and friends, get active, know about your family history and if you notice something, do something about it.
Helena Jennison, Marketing Director for the ‘Movember’ movement commented: “We have been going since 2003 now, we have raised over £443 million. With that money we have funded over 1200 men’s health projects across the world, in over 21 countries. We have focussed specifically on prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide prevention.”
To find out more about how to get involved with the Movember campaign, visit https://uk.movember.com/
(Photography credit: Movember Foundation, https://uk.movember.com/)