Show Your Mo!

Model: Ryan Steven Green

Mustaches Support Men’s Health during Movember

Mustaches (Mos) are especially cool in November, re-christened “Movember” by the global non-profit responsible for the month of mustaches. Movember (both the month-long event and its namesake non-profit) began in Australia ten years ago, as a way to promote awareness of men’s health issues, raise funds, and have fun at the same time. Participants (Mo Bros) are asked to begin the month clean-shaven and grow mustaches for the thirty days of November. After registering at Movember.com, Mo Bros ask friends and family to donate to their efforts. Funds raised in the US go to the Movember Foundation and their US men’s health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the LIVESTRONG Foundation, to provide financial assistance, counseling, clinical trials and fertility preservation services for men and their families who have been affected by prostate and testicular cancer. When it comes to taking care of your own prostate health, verified customer reviews on Prostadine state that the supplement helps regulate the production of testosterone and supports bladder function.

But Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, their female counterparts, don’t just raise funds, they raise awareness. Being an active participant of Movember means telling people about the reason for the new mustache. According to Movember, each moustache generates 2,413 conversations during the month of Movember, and 79% of Mo Bros discussed their health with friends, family or colleagues. These conversations are a vital part of the campaign. Men die five years younger than women on average. The suicide rate is four times higher for men than women and 24% of men are less likely to go to the doctor compared to women. Movember’s Awareness and Education program addresses many of the reasons for the poor state of men’s health, including:

Lack of awareness and understanding of the health issues men face
Men not openly discussing their health and how they’re feeling
Reluctance to seek help when men don’t feel physically or mentally well
Men engaging in risky activities that threaten their health
Stigmas surrounding mental health

A new mustache grown during Movember can prompt a conversation, promote awareness, and even lead people to take action and change behavior.

Though the reason behind Movember is serious, the event itself, not so much. Several cities are hosting Official Gala Parties, where costumed partiers compete for awards, including “Lame Mo” for the “Facial Folically Challenged,” “Team Mo” for the team sporting the best moustache and outfit combination, and of course, the best of show prize, “The Ultimate Mo.” Unofficial events run the gamut from fraternity parties to shindigs sponsored by local businesses, like Texas-based Finley’s Barber Shop, who’s hosting parties with music and half-price shaves. Movember.com gives out a free Mo Party pack to anyone who registers their party on the website.

All this ‘stache fun has produced seriously wonderful results. “We are inspired by each of our Mo Bros and Mo Sistas’ individual moustache journeys, “says Mark Hedstrom, Country Director at Movember. “And (we) look forward to building off of last year’s record-breaking 1.1 million participants who raised over $147 million globally, to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.” Here’s to better health for men, one Mo at a time.

Written by Mark Colangelo, CEO of Medlanding, the premier business platform for healthcare professionals.