by Andy McInnes, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine

So where does your money go when you give your hard earned money to the Movember Foundation? Funding 1,200 projects across 21 countries, the Foundation works closely with 20 global men’s health partners. Former Executive Director, and now Movember ambassador, Adam Garone says this is “to ensure collaboration, transparency and accountability for every project we fund.”

One main area of men’s health that Movember focuses on is mental health and suicide prevention. On average, around the world, a man will take his own life, every minute of every day. This is scarily high and Movember’s working towards a world where men and boys are in a position to take care of their own mental health. The Foundation’s aim is by 2030 is to reduce the rate of male suicide by 25 per cent.

So how are they doing to achieve this goal? Among other things, the charity is focusing on education. Teaching men and boys how to stay mentally healthy, and to create an environment where men and boys can ask for help and talk about their difficulties and feelings. We have to encourage them to get the support that they need.

Specific projects?

In Canada, there is the Man/Art/Action project. This public art project has been set up to provide support for military veterans (who can suffer from PTSD, major depression, and an increased risk of self harm after returning home from tours of duty.) With the notion that men will share more while working with their hands, the project aims to address these mental health issues through men working together through the arts, such as painting, carving and drama. Veterans were given the opportunity share their experiences in a public forum, and get the support to assist their transition into civilian life.

In New Zealand, the Foundation helped fund the Canterbury earthquake recovery. Implemented by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, the project involved increasing literacy to tackle the stigma around men asking for help and discussing their feelings following the devastating earthquakes that hit the region. Given recent events, this literature will continue to support men in the region.

These are just two of many Movember-funded projects that aim to tackle men’s mental health issues around the globe. They are issues that can affect any man, at any time: it could be a brother, a mate, a father, a husband or you. Get behind the All Habs Movember team who is working hard to support this wonderful cause. Spread the word, and if you are able to, please donate here!