Movember 2007


beyondblue Chairman The Hon. Jeff Kennett said: "With fear and trepidation I am on board for Movember. I'm in a state of trepidation because over the four weeks I suspect I'm going to look more stupid than I normally do.

I'm growing a moustache because Movember is a unique event that reaches young men in particular, throughout the country. It also gives beyondblue the opportunity to increase awareness of depression and educate young men who we might not otherwise reach.

Given that one in six men will experience depression in their adult lifetime, we must use every avenue to promote our message and encourage people to seek professional help. It's not a crime to be ill. In my opinion, it's a crime not to seek help.

So my attempt to grow a moustache and be held up to ridicule during the month is a small price to pay for the extraordinary awareness that Movember and beyondblue will achieve by reaching so many men".


Movember has teamed up with beyondblue: the national depression initiative and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to raise awareness of men's health issues throughout November.

Movember (the month formally known as November) is a charity event held during November each year. At the start of Movember guys register with a clean shaven face. The Movember participants known as Mo Bros then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their moustache and along the way raise as much money and awareness about male health issues as possible.

Movember culminates at the end of the month at the gala parties. These glamorous and groomed events will see Tom Selleck and David Boon look-a-likes battle it out on the catwalk for their chance to take home the prestigious Man of Movember title.

In 2007, the key male health issues Movember is supporting include:

• Prostate cancer because every year in Australia 2,700 men die of prostate cancer - more than the number of women who die from breast cancer.
• Male depression because 1 in 6 men are affected by depression... Most don't seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide.

As in 2006, beyondblue will be working with Movember to raise awareness of depression in men.

For more information and to register for Movember go to www.movember.com.au

Resources

Click to download beyondblue's fact sheet on depression in men.
Click to play beyondblue's Depression in Men TV advertisement
Download beyondblue's wallet-sized info card for men, which includes signs and symptoms of depression as well as where to get help.