BY LUCAS VOSS
Behind the scenes, work is underway in preparation for this year’s Movember, with ambassadors ready in their roles for the upcoming campaign in November 2020.
Despite months until the foundations’ annual peak of awareness, the importance in the present day could not be more relevant. Social immobility across the globe has significantly changed everyone’s lives, increasing loneliness, depression and anxiety. The Guardian reported that “young men aged 18-25” mainly required admission during the pandemic.
“What’s happening now is impacting us all in different ways” – Brendan Maher, Global Director of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Movember.
On average men die nearly six years earlier than women, with poor mental health, and testicular and prostate cancer being three main illnesses. Movember’s key aim is to “reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%” by 2030. The Australian charity was started in 2003 and operates in over 20 countries, having raised money for over 1,200 health projects globally.
In the UK, suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 20-40 reports the BBC. Men are three to four times more likely to commit suicide than women in the UK and Ireland, respectively. The Samaritans, who published the Suicide Statistics Report 2019, focuses on suicide prevention across the British Isles.
With concerns of a student mental health crisis across UK universities, support has increased for initiatives to improve student welfare. This academic year alone, the University of Plymouth invested £500,000 in the new Student Hub located in the library. This “one-stop shop for advice and support on aspects of university life” includes support for mental health, and international students, among other things.
While you may not currently require the support provided by the Student Hub, you may feel inclined to get involved with promoting awareness of these pressing issues and raising money. University of Plymouth student and Movember Ambassador Matt Hand spoke to Plymouth Gazette about a “Movember university challenge leader board where universities taking part compete to see who raises the most funds”. Hand stated that all students can get involved through societies, sports clubs, or by creating their own individual teams “to represent Plymouth’s fundraising efforts”. All proceeds of this will go to the Movember Foundation.
In 2019, the University of Exeter raised over £84,000, putting them ahead of any other UK university that year. Let’s see if Plymouth can support this fantastic cause and win the Devon rivalry too!
Get involved now with upcoming campaigns within the university. You can contact Matt Hand to discuss your own fundraising ideas and for local information about Movember. If you’re a student at the University of Plymouth and planning a fundraiser or growing your ‘tache in support of Movember, follow the Instagram account and tag your Instagram posts with #UOPMovember20.
Support:
University mental health and student wellbeing services
Samaritans – call or visit their website
Check for symptoms of testicular cancer or prostate cancer