We like to laugh at a mate’s handlebar ‘stache as much as the next person, but Movember is about much more than impressive facial hair: its intention is to spotlight men’s health issues, from depression to cancer.
To help kick off this year’s campaign, the Movember Foundation laid out 191 pairs of shoes on Sydney’s Bondi Beach at dawn yesterday, as a gut-wrenching symbol of the number of Australian men who died by their own hand in the past month alone.
Its purpose? To remind all Aussies that we “cannot bury its head in the sand” when it comes to men’s health and awareness.
“While the state of men’s health has come a long way since Movember started in 2003, there’s still so much work to be done,” said Adam Garone, the foundation’s co-founder. “We won’t stop until men are living healthier, happier and longer lives.”
If you think seeing that many shoes lined up is confronting, consider the stats: suicide is the leading cause of death for Australian men aged between 15 and 44, with an average of six men taking their own life every day.
On the cancer-front, more than 3,300 Aussie men will die from prostate cancer this year alone.
Bloke readers: get in on the Movember effort HERE, and put down your razor to help stop men dying far too young.
Everyone else: sponsor your mates’ efforts or make a direct donation to the cause, with all money raised going towards potentially-life saving research.
Photo: Supplied.
If this article triggers anything for you, seek help from MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.
