In this blog, you will learn:
What Movember is and why it matters.
Ideas and activities to mark Movember at work.
Ways to raise awareness throughout Movember.
Discover more about our recruitment services.
‘Movember’ is just around the corner, and recognising and supporting men’s mental health has never been more important.
According to the Office for National Statistics, men account for around three-quarters of suicide deaths in the UK, highlighting the urgent need to encourage open conversations about mental health and ensure that men feel able to seek support when they need it.
Movember is about much more than growing a moustache for a month. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the mental and physical health challenges affecting men, challenge the stigma that can prevent people from speaking openly, and encourage positive, lasting change.
The workplace can play an important role in this. For many people, colleagues and managers are part of their everyday support network, and creating an environment where conversations about wellbeing are welcomed can make it easier for someone to speak up when they are struggling.
From sharing mental health resources and signposting available support to organising awareness activities, encouraging regular check-ins or simply making time for a conversation, there are many ways organisations can get involved.
What is Movember?
Movember is an annual global charity campaign held every November, raising awareness and funds to tackle the biggest health issues affecting men, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
November is also Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time when people raise funds, campaign and grow moustaches to support men’s mental health and the charities that provide vital help.
Since it began in 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,300 projects worldwide.
Why does Movember matter at work?
The workplace can have a significant impact on men’s mental health, influencing everything from day-to-day wellbeing to overall quality of life. Excessive workloads, long hours and a poor work-life balance can harm mental health and quickly lead to burnout.
By recognising job pressures, reviewing workplace practices and offering flexible working options all year round, not just during Movember, employers can help protect wellbeing and reduce burnout.
Celebrating Movember provides opportunities for men to communicate and listen to each other about their physical health and their mental wellbeing.
Hosting Movember activities at work is a great way to bring colleagues together, have some fun and strengthen social connections, all while supporting an important cause.
How can organisations mark Movember at work?
Ways to mark Movember at work:
Grow a moustache.
Encourage open conversations and health check-ins.
Host men's mental and physical health workshops.
Organise a fundraising campaign.
Grow a moustache
If there is one thing Movember is known for, it’s growing a moustache for a good cause! The phrase ‘Grow a mo to help save a bro’ is a popular slogan for Movember and refers to the commitment to not shaving in November.
Growing a moustache serves as a symbol for Movember and combats the stigma that forces men to stay strong and silent.
Men are encouraged to start the month clean shaven and are often sponsored for growing facial hair. Whether it's a pencil, handlebar or horseshoe moustache, resisting the urge to shave for a whole month is what it’s all about.
A fun or creative moustache can start conversations and help men who feel uncomfortable discussing mental health to open up. It’s a visible sign of support for speaking out, promoting men’s mental health, preventing suicide and tackling other urgent issues.
Encourage open conversations and physical health check-ins
A survey by Priority Group, found that 4 in 10 men in the UK have never spoken to anyone about their mental health. The survey also revealed that 40% of men would only seek professional help if they were experiencing suicidal thoughts or considering self-harm.
Getting men in the workplace together to learn, share experiences and talk about health is one of the most important Movember activities. Providing opportunities to have conversations is not only a crucial step for Movember, but something that all businesses can benefit from.
Conversations can happen in 121s, team meetings, group sessions or mental health check-ins. These discussions can help employers explore how staff are really feeling and identify ways to support and improve their mental health.
Normalising conversations about wellness, welfare and mental health in the workplace, particularly among male colleagues, can help to break the stigma. It can also challenge cultural norms that can negatively impact men’s mental health and wellbeing, such as the pressure to push through the pain or stress, rather than seek help.
Workplace cultures that encourage open conversations help employees feel supported and confident speaking with colleagues. When openness becomes the norm, it can improve morale, mental health and wellbeing, as well as boost productivity.
Host men’s mental and physical health workshops
Hosting a men’s mental and physical health workshop is an effective way to participate in Movember and bring employees together.
Movember’s Real Face of Men’s Health campaign found that almost 2 in 3 men wait more than a week before visiting a doctor with symptoms, while 48% believe it is normal practice to avoid health check-ups.
Workplace wellbeing workshops cover a variety of men’s health topics, giving employees the tools and knowledge they need to eat healthily, exercise and make positive lifestyle changes.
Sessions can include practical self-care guidance from expert speakers, advice on how to check in on a friend and clear information on how employees can check themselves for cancer.
Teaching employees about important issues, how to manage stress and how smoking and alcohol affect the body can make a meaningful difference.
The knowledge and vital health information gained can be passed on to encourage more conversations and improve the overall quality of life for millions of men.
Organise a fundraising campaign
During Movember making an effort to raise money for men’s health charities is a meaningful way to turn awareness into action.
Raising funds and awareness is crucial for keeping conversations about men’s health going and supporting the organisations working to improve men’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Organisations can choose a charity to support and encourage colleagues to get involved through fundraising activities, workplace challenges or donations.
For Movember, employers can support charities and movements that raise awareness of men’s mental health, fund critical research and build stronger social connections to reduce the male suicide rate.
Fundraising initiatives can include being sponsored to grow a fun moustache, organising a quiz night, golf day, or participating in the 60km Move Challenge.
The 60km Move Challenge is a fitness and fundraising event that takes place during Movember where participants run or walk 60 kilometres in November. The 60 kilometres distance represents the 60 men worldwide who die by suicide every hour.
The aim of the challenge is to raise funds and awareness for men's mental health, prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide prevention to stop men dying at a young age.
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