Each November, something quietly powerful happens. Men around the world begin to grow moustaches. This is not as a trend but as a symbol of change. Behind the playful facial hair lies a serious purpose: to raise awareness for men’s health, both physical and mental.
The Movember movement began in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia. Two friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, wondered if the moustache could make a comeback and if it could in turn, stand for something more. What started as a fun social experiment turned into a global movement. Movember now spans more than 20 countries and funds over 1,200 men’s health initiatives.
The message is simple but powerful:
👉 Growing a moustache sparks conversation.
👉 Conversation drives awareness.
👉 Awareness saves lives.
From encouraging early testing for prostate and testicular cancer to tackling the rising rates of male anxiety, depression, and suicide, Movember helps men open up. That doesn’t always come easily. In many cultures, men are taught to be strong, stoic, and self-reliant. Movember flips that script, reminding us that strength also encompasses vulnerability, connection, and caring.
While Movember may focus on men’s health, women play an important part in its success. Whether as partners, sisters, mothers, daughters, or friends, women often act as the emotional anchors and encouragers in the lives of the men they love.
Studies continue to highlight a key challenge: many men still feel social pressure to stay silent about health or emotional struggles, often equating vulnerability with weakness. Yet, in truth, vulnerability is a profound form of strength.
Checking in doesn’t have to mean diving into uncomfortable territory. It can simply mean creating a safe, judgment-free space where everyone feels seen.
Research in wellness and behavioural science continues to show that supportive relationships are one of the most powerful factors in sustaining health and resilience. A simple check-in, a shared laugh, or a gentle reminder to book that appointment can make a meaningful difference.
Movember is more than a campaign; it’s an invitation. It invites us to engage in honest conversations about health, purpose, and emotional resilience.
When women and men engage in mutual support during Movember and beyond, we help transform awareness into meaningful action. One of the hardest things to do when it comes to mental and emotional well-being, is to start the conversation.
Together, we can model a culture of care, where well-being isn’t a solo journey, but a shared one.
Simone Usselman-Tod CCP, TICC, RMT, CEBP
The Goal Accelerator Coach
