Movember in review: Do you participate?

For those of us working in building and construction, men’s physical and mental health is a top priority. And Movember is one of the most popular events focusing on awareness and fundraising in the space.

Each year, many of the team at BAA participate, including our Builders Academy Australia CEO Andrew Shea, so we thought this was a great time to reflect on Movember 2019 and provide you all with some more information on why it’s so important to us all.

A men’s health crisis

Did you know that, on average, men die 6 years younger than women? The reasons for these early deaths are largely preventable, and the crisis is only getting worse. According to the Movember website, prostate cancer rates will double over the next 15 years. Similar research shows that testicular cancer has doubled in the past 50 years and is on the climb.

Suicide is also among these preventable causes of death. According to the Movember website, one man dies from suicide every minute. Suicide is disproportionately a problem which affects men, with men representing 3 out of 4 suicides.

Tradies’ health

Health and safety is a big issue affecting people who work in building and construction. Trades can be dangerous work. Although trades make up just one third of the Australian workforce, trades account for over 50% of all workers’ comp cases.

According to MensLine Australia, mental health issues also affect men who work in building and construction. The website states that:

• Suicide is 3x higher in tradesmen than other men
• The suicide rate for construction workers is 6x higher than death by workplace accidents
• Every year in Australia, nearly 200 construction workers commit suicide

What is Movember?

Movember is a charity event organised by the Movember Foundation. This event aims to raise awareness of men’s health issues and also to invest money into preventing premature deaths in men. Movember is a worldwide event, but we also have our own version called Movember Australia.

Movember focuses on three men’s health issues:

• prostate cancer
• testicular cancer
• mental health and suicide prevention

One of the main goals of Movember is to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% by the year 2030.

Other goals of Movember include:

• Reduce the number of men dying from prostate and testicular cancer by 50%
• Reduce the number of men who suffer from serious side effects of treatment by 50%
• Reduce the rate of suicide by 25%

How does Movember Australia work?

Movember raises money for awesome projects all around the world which alleviate the men’s health crisis. This includes donating money to experts who develop treatments and health programs.

Movember:

• raises awareness of men’s issues in the community
• informs men about their health issues
• encourages healthy lifestyles
• creates more health services for men
• brings experts together to tackle the issues.

Want to participate in Movember 2020?

Grow a mo

This is perhaps the most famous way to participate in the Movember fundraising event. First, sign up to start your project on the official website. Then, you can start growing your moustache.

You have just two rules to follow:

• Start clean shaven on November 1st
• No beards or goatees allowed

Let’s face it, moustaches are eye-catching. By growing a moustache, you raise awareness of the event and the health issues affecting men. At the same time, you promote the event which encourages your friends and family to donate to the cause.

Move for Movember

Can’t grow a mo? That’s okay. You can still raise money for a good cause. In Move for Movember, you run or walk 60km over the course of the month.

Why 60km? Because around the world, 60 men die by suicide every hour.

If you want to participate in this event, it works similarly to growing a mo. You sign up on the website, and start asking friends and family to donate to your cause while you embark on your challenge. You can take the 60kms at your own pace over the course of the month.

Host a mo-ment

In this fundraising activity, you host an event of your own. It can be anything from a dinner or a piss up with mates. The aim is to get your mates to donate to the cause. Some people like to have a “shave-down” event at the beginning of the month before starting to grow their mos.

Supporting men’s health

Men’s health is a big issue for people who work in building and construction. Not only do men face the threat of early death caused by prostate and testicular cancer, but they are also disproportionately affected by suicide. We ask all tradies–including both men and women–to support the Movember event in any way you can, whether you’re growing a mo or making a small donation. And even though its the end of Movember, it’s not too late to donate. You can do so here.