Facial hair and awareness: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health
WHY MOVEMBER MATTERS
Movember is an annual movement in November which raises awareness for men's health issues like prostate and testicular cancer, metal health and suicide prevention.
Many people grow a moustache (the ‘mo’ part) and fundraise for Movember, which goes to cancer research and treatment programs, and funds vital mental health and suicide prevention projects around the world.
WHAT’S GOING ON?
This year, the OTSU is marking Movember by holding a tabling event on November 12, sharing resources and information on men’s health, and sparking a dialogue on a subject that many are reluctant to discuss.
Starting from 1pm on November 12 in both Charles Hall and Shawenjigewinging Hall, the OTSU will be giving out donuts (while supplies last) and information packs for students. We invite all ‘mo-bros’ and ‘mo-sisters’ to come by, learn more, and talk to one another about what Movember means to you.
Movember
🗓 November 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM to November 12, 2024 at 8:00 PM
📍 North | SHA and CHA
Additionally, the university has year-round events and programs that support mental well-being and encourage wellness. Find them and other events at events.ontariotechu.ca, or on the Student Life Health and Wellness portal.
Events in November:
- CAMPUS CONNECTED: November 8, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- safeTALK: November 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHAT IS MOVEMBER?
Movember started as a grassroots movement in Australia in 2003 as a way of starting conversations about men's health. It has since grown into a global movement that’s raised more than $1 billion and funded more than 1250 men’s health projects, including life-extending therapies and developing one blood test for prostate cancer.
Now, millions of people around the world start the month of November by shaving off their facial hair, letting it grow all month long while raising money for cancer research, new technology, and support programs.
Did you know:
- 1 in 9 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
- Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in young Canadian men
- In 2019, over 3,050 men died by suicide, nearly 59 men per week
- In Canada, 3 out of 4 deaths by suicide are men
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
There’s a lot that each of us can do to support men’s health this month, and all year long. Some examples are:
- Grow a moustache and fundraise
- Patchy, lopsided, itchy or epic—whatever moustache you grow this Movember, your face will raise funds and awareness for men’s health. Learn more at movember.com.
- Move for Movember
- Commit to running or walking 60km over the month, at your own pace. That’s 60km for the 60 men we lose to suicide each hour, every hour across the world.
- Host a Mo-ment
- Rally a crew and do something fun and easy. Hosting is all about having a good time for a good cause.
- Mo your own way
- Create your own challenge—it can be anything. A gruelling test of physical endurance or something else entirely. Your epic efforts will help change the face of men’s health.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
November can be a tough time, no doubt about it—the weather sucks, midterms and assignments are piling up. But you’re not alone. And you never need to feel that way. The university has a stepped care program that includes group support, self-help resources, and more. And the Region or Durham has many resources as well.
Never feel like you have to “suck it up” or “tough it out.” We all go through challenging times, and we can all be there for each other when we need support. That’s what community is about. That’s what we’re here for.
If you or someone you know is struggling, here are some resources and supports that will help:
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- OTSU-provided myWellness Plan
- Ontario Tech group and self-help resources
- Distress Centre Durham: 905.430.0483 OR 1.800.430.0688
- Durham Mental Health Services: 905.666.0483 OR 1.800.742.1890
- Campus Security at 905.721.8668 ext. 2400 or 905.721.3211
- Student LifeLine (emotional support): 905.721.3392, studentlifeline@ontariotechu.ca
We’re here for you if you ever need anything.
💙 The OTSU
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