In these challenging times of COVID-19 – a global pandemic, we are hearing about the rise of cases in domestic violence, people losing jobs, deterioration of health, and financial difficulties that lead to mental issues and suicide attempts.

According to The Star Newspaper, suicide attempts spiked since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in our nation. National Fire and Rescue Department Operations Director Nor Hisham Mohammad said that “June was their busiest month with 21 cases around the country – between March and July, the department had attended to 88 such cases, with 78 people rescued, seven injured and three fatalities. These were only cases handled by the department and the figures could be much higher.”

He also added that most of the time, those who wanted to commit suicide were depressed, bipolar, had failed relationships, or were in financial distress.

What is Movember?

Movember (a portmanteau of the Australian-English diminutive word for moustache, “mo”, and “November”) is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.

Whether one is a single male or female or married couple – problems come to all. But, how a person handles the issue is what matters most. Movember is where we focus on the lives of men in our lives – he could be your dad, husband, brother, or friends.

Creating awareness is the reason behind the Movember movement. It is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of all the men in your life.

How Can You Support This Movement

For Women:

Obviously you’re a woman and can’t grow a moustache but you can still make a big impact in your man’s life.

If you participate in Movember – you’re called a Mo Sista.

Mo Sistas are dedicated to supporting the men in their lives by promoting the importance of men’s health physically and mentally.

Here’s how you can get involved as a Mo Sista;

• Sign-up at Movember.com as a team captain & start recruiting a team, or join an existing team.
• Commit to MOVE, to get active for the 30 days of the month of November with your Mo Bro.
• Rock some moustache apparel during the month. Some Movember Collection is available for purchase on www. movember.com.
• Start the conversation! If you see a guy during the month of November sporting a moustache, walk right up to him and ask him if he is sporting his Mo for Movember.
• Set some fundraising goals and be very targeted with your fundraising requests. Two key things to remember when fundraising: start things off by donating to yourself, and always engage in public displays of affection by thanking people who donate to you on social media.

As for men (Mo Bro), there are three ways to be part of this movement;

• Grow and groom only a mustache and use it as a conversation starter to talk about men’s health and raise donations.
• Use the hashtag #Movember on related posts on your social media to create more awareness.
• Walk or run a distance of 60 km for each of the 60 men lost to suicide each hour globally. You don’t have to be an ultra-athlete or own the latest kicks. Hit it fast. Take it slow. Run solo. Join a team. Go outside. Or jump on the treadmill.
• Host a Mo-Ment event to raise funds for charity. Do something fun and easy, virtually or, in person. You can cook up a fancy dinner, tee up a sports match, or set up a Shave Down – a group shave-off of facial hair to get the month of November started.

Remember the main goal of this movement is – by 2030 to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%.

Your support will change the lives of these affected men.

Did You Know?
Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research, and transforming the way health services reach and support men.