MOvember - raising awareness of depression in men

Magz Rides Again: Taken directly from BeyondBlue
http://www.beyondblue.org.au

Moustache season is open


Movember 2011

On average, one in eight men will experience depression in their lifetime - that's almost one million men who will be affected. Anxiety is even more common. Less than half receive help and what's worse is the risk of suicide for those seriously affected.

On November 1, guys register at Movember.com and start the month clean-shaven. Mo Bros (men who grow a Mo), supported Mo Sistas (women who love a Mo) then spend the next 30 days , raising funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo growing efforts.

Acting CEO of beyondblue Clare Shann says Movember provides men (and women) with the opportunity to talk about men's health - not just during Movember, but all year round - and beyondblue is very pleased and proud to be part of the conversation.

"Movember has not only made it OK for men to talk about their mental and physical health, but the campaign continues to raise money to help beyondblue fund important research and men's health programs throughout Australia," says Clare.

beyondblue has been a beneficiary of funding from Movember since 2006, and last year received $10,370,000 for men's health programs.

The money donated to beyondblue by Movember is spent on projects agreed to by both organisations. Movember donations fund a range of beyondblue projects including the info line and programs and research to address the mental health needs of all men including older men, first-time fathers, men in the workplace, gay men and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

"In 2010 over 130,000 Australian Mo Bros and Sistas got on board the campaign. We are so grateful to all the Mo Bros and Mo Sistas and to all the staff at Movember who, year after year, create such a fantastic campaign. I encourage everyone to register for Movember 2011 - www.movember.com Let's continue to increase the understanding of depression and anxiety in men and reduce the associated stigmas," says Clare.