November Means Movember & Talking About Mental Health

10th November 2025

As November unfolds, Movember once again captures global attention encouraging men (and their communities) to grow “Mo’s,” talk openly about health, and take action before it’s too late. What began in 2003 as a moustache-growing challenge in Australia has evolved into a movement tackling some of the most critical men’s health issues: mental wellbeing, prostate and testicular cancer, and suicide prevention.

A Mission with Urgency

Despite advances in research and care, men continue to die prematurely at alarming rates, often from preventable or treatable conditions. Movember’s 2025 campaign leans into this urgency, spotlighting three pillars: mental health & suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. This year’s messaging emphasises the power of early action and conversations. Movember invites participants to:

• Grow a Mo - shave clean on November 1st, then let that moustache lead conversations.
• Move for 60 - walk, run, cycle, or move 60 km over the month in recognition of the 60 men lost to suicide every hour globally.
• Host a Mo-ment or Mo Your Way - design your own fundraising or awareness event.
• Donate or fundraise - contributions support men’s health research, interventions, and services globally.

Voices, Stories & Action
Across the UK, hospitals, universities, workplaces, and grassroots groups are uniting behind Movember. For example, Manchester Metropolitan University has launched internal awareness and support campaigns, rallying students and staff to engage in mental health dialogue and Mo-themed activities. 

Clinics and health practices are also amplifying the message. One NHS health centre recently issued a call: “Too many men struggle in silence. Saying something can make all the difference. Don’t wait—talk, check, act.” Meanwhile, Movember’s own reporting reveals how far the campaign has grown: over 1,250 men’s health projects funded around the world and more than £1 billion raised to date.

Challenges, Critiques & The Way Forward
The movement is not without debate. Some critics question recent shifts in funding priorities—arguing that the balance between cancer research and broader mental health programs has changed significantly in recent years. Still, supporters say expansion into mental wellbeing is both timely and necessary. Suicide and mental health crises claim a heavy toll, and integrating prevention strategies can potentially save more lives. As the month goes on, Movember 2025 is more than a campaign, it’s a call to action:

Talk early. Check your body. Reach out when it's hard. Together, change is possible

Movember is an annual event in November that raises awareness and funds for men's health by encouraging participants to grow moustaches. It is a global movement that supports men's health initiatives, specifically focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. The name is a portmanteau of "moustache" and "November".

• The challenge: Men grow a moustache for the entire month, becoming a "Mo Bro" to start conversations about men's health. Women can also participate to support the cause.
• The cause: The money raised goes to the Movember Foundation, which funds projects related to mental health, suicide prevention, and the prevention and treatment of prostate and testicular cancer.
• Other ways to get involved: In addition to growing a "mo," people can participate by running or walking, or by holding other events.
• How to take action: People are encouraged to talk more openly about men's health, check in on their friends, and know their risk factors for diseases like prostate cancer. 

If it would help to talk, there is a warm welcome at DRCS and a quick response time to requests for therapy, plus help to find the right kind of therapy for you. Browse our website at https://drcs.org.uk/ for information about our therapy services, it is just a click away.

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