From First Aid to Mental Health: Why we need to keep men talking
I remember when I was a little boy just starting school, if I hurt myself and I cried the teachers would say “don’t cry”. If a little girl hurt herself and she cried the teachers would ask her, “What’s wrong?”
Last time I had pneumonia I returned to work and my colleagues and office ladies jokingly asked me, “Was it man flu?”
But enough of the anecdotes. In 2024, I know they are shewed away like an unwanted cat turning up at your place when the landlord said no pets and you are due for a property inspection in five minutes.
But it seems we have always expected certain characteristics of our men in Australia. And boys exactly like me learn at a young age that it’s not okay to talk about your feelings. That may be a stereotypical thing to say but it’s also still true.
Movember’s a movement
Movember is an audacious movement where men grow mustaches like badges of honour. It’s not just about the 'stache; it’s a gritty call to arms against prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health issues. You grow that upper lip fuzz not just to look like a 70s cop, but to spark conversations, and break the silence that surrounds men's health.
It’s a bunch of guys banding together, channeling their inner rebels, taking a stand against the societal norms that say men shouldn’t talk about their struggles. It’s a month where the mundane transforms into a mission. You raise funds, you raise awareness, and you redefine masculinity.
It really isn’t just about facial hair; it’s about fighting the good fight for blokes who need a little help right now.
Get talking
We should be talking about our men and their health. There’s a crisis amongst men, they are dying too young. Who knows, if we just talk about it, it could save a life.
My dear friend and support act of the Adelaide Fringe in 2020 and 2021, Ricky the Ringmaster, while no spring chicken, is facing a challenge of his own - prostate cancer. Stage 5. I am certain that if he had been more active in checking up on his health, and not ignoring some warning signs, he could have caught it much sooner. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men over 45 but early detection is key. Fortunately for us, Ricky is still here, surviving, but others aren’t so fortunate. If you’re worried about a man in your life, make sure you reach out to them and check in.
Be aware
Reports show that when compared to women, men visit the doctor less often. One study showed that 61% of men did not engage in regular health check-up visits.
Ten to Men is a major national research project that uses it’s findings to assist the development of health programs targeted to the special health needs of boys and mens. It’s a great initiative worth checking out.
There are a lot of great resources on the Movember website to look at including, “How to talk to someone about their mental health”. Checking in is a really important step in potentially changing someone’s life… and maybe even saving it.
Get involved
There is two ways you can get involved in Movember.
Look around. If you see someone suddenly look like a 1970’s cop, reach out to them and ask if they are doing Movember. Maybe they aren’t. Maybe they have something else going on in their life that we don’t even know about. But if they are doing Movember then hit them up and work out how you can chip in and help them raise money.
Become a Mo Bro. Grow that moustache yourself. Then share your reasons for growing that moustache. Tell others about the silent battles so many men face, the ones we’ve been told to keep under wraps. Then, there’s social media, that digital echo chamber where vulnerability can finally breathe. Post your journey and share your awkward moustache growth. Share it all - the laughs, the serious bits. Remind everyone that it’s okay to feel something, to be part of something bigger. Ask people to support you, to chip in. Make it personal—send them a message that cuts through the noise, direct and real, with a link to your fundraising page, like a lifeline.
It’s those small things like sharing your story, growing a mo, or asking someone to donate to your cause, that can open up bigger doors for conversation, for connection.
Remember, every moustache is a conversation starter, a fuzzy symbol of the struggles we’ve been taught to hide. Let’s turn that into something powerful.
