‘More important than ever:’ Movember organizers say pandemic has worsened men’s health

By Alex Black

Movember’s 15th annual campaign is encouraging ‘Mo Bros’ and ‘Mo Sisters’ to rally in support of men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Movember Canada says, while the COVID-19 pandemic has been keeping moustaches hidden under face coverings, the pandemic has also taken a toll on men’s mental health, and the need to raise funds and awareness is more important than ever. In Canada, 75 per cent of suicides are by men, and it remains the second leading cause of death for men 15-44.

Also, a 2021 Movember survey showed 66 per cent of Canadian men believe men’s mental health is worse today than ever and 50 per cent believe that the pandemic has changed their mental health forever.

“There is no question that the lack of social-connectedness in our current phase of the pandemic is having an impact on Canadian’s mental health,” said Todd Minerson, director for Movember Canada.

“Many guys are isolated and disconnected from their usual social support networks. It’s a very important time to be raising awareness and supporting men’s health.”

Movember Canada says it’s not just mental health the pandemic has directly impacted, as health care disruptions have delayed some cancer diagnosis and cancelled many non-essential surgeries in hospitals across the country. In Canada, one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and testicular cancer continues to be the most diagnosed cancer in young men.

If you want to join the Movember movement, you can participate in several ways, including growing a mustache, raising money, committing to moving at least 60 kilometres over the month, or hosting a Mo-ment rally.

Also, new this year, the campaign is launching the ‘Great Canadian Mo Challenge,’ a nationwide hunt for Canada’s greatest moustaches and Mo supporters.

Ten winners will be selected from across Canada, and their photos will be featured on billboards across Canada’s major cities on Nov. 30. Participants can submit photos and stories via Movember’s Facebook page.

To date, Movember has helped fund over 1,250 innovative men’s health projects across twenty countries, with nearly 300 of those in Canada.

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