About Movember
Movember is an annual event during November where participants grow mustaches and host fundraising events to draw attention to three important men’s health issues: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Men are dying on average 6 years earlier than women and from largely preventable reasons. The Movember Foundation is on a mission to change this. They raise much-needed funds and awareness to stop us, our brothers, fathers, sons, partners, and friends from dying too young.
Movember is helping to transform how men think about their health – and how to act on it. Using funds raised by Mo Bros, they collaborate with the world’s sharpest minds and best researchers to create effective treatments, innovative support solutions, and easily accessible resources for men.
Why Movember?
Men’s health is of major importance to Psi Upsilon. Three out of four suicides are men. One in nine men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. And testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men. Movember is doing important work to educate and support research on these critical issues. Together, we can make a difference to all brothers, our campus communities, and beyond.
Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up research and motivating men to take action for their health.
What Can I Do?
1. Create a Chapter Team
Recruit undergrads (and alumni!) to join your chapter team page. To create a team, sign up and create a Movember Account. Once your page is created there will be an option to Join / Create a team on your page. Movember can be tracked both online and using its App.
2. Join the Psi Upsilon Psi Upsilon Challenge
After you create an account, you can Join the Challenge Psi Upsilon Fraternity Network by clicking this link or go to “Challenges” in the upper right corner menu and search for “Psi Upsilon”. If you created a chapter team page also be sure that joins the Psi Upsilon Fraternity Network. Challenges are a way for Individuals and Teams who are participating in Movember to track progress together and can show how we, in Psi Upsilon, are making a difference to this important cause. Unlike Teams, you can join multiple Challenges with Movember. In addition every campus has a challenge so you can see how you are competing against other teams on your campus.
3. Grow a “Mo”ustache
Become a visible advocate for men’s health by growing a mustache this November. The Movember moustache serves as a conversation starter and a symbol of awareness. Encourage members to create a chapter team and compete for the best mustache or the most funds raised.
4. Make a Move
Commit to running or walking 60 miles in November—one mile for each of the 60 men lost to suicide every hour across the globe. Using the Movember App you can track your personal Movements and on your team, and can make this a part of your fundraising effort.
5. Host a “Mo”ment
Organize a creative event to raise awareness or funds—virtual or in-person. Whether it’s a shave-down event, game night, or campus tabling effort, these gatherings create community and start vital conversations. A successful Movember team not only raises funds but also raises awareness to the causes that Movember supports.
Educational Resources
- Spot the Signs – Make sure you take time to check in on your own mental health and those close to you.
- Give Support – You can’t fix someone else’s problems, but you can be there for them. Sometimes listening is the most helpful thing you can do. You won’t make things worse by asking someone how they’re doing. Keep in mind that it’s always worth preparing yourself before you start the conversation.
- Get Support – If you’re ever worried that someone’s life is in immediate danger, call 911 or go directly to emergency services.
- Reach out with ALEC – Ask, Listen, Encourage action, Check in
- Movember Conversations – This tool gives you confidence to have conversations with men in your life who may be struggling. This platform helps you navigate having difficult but effective conversations.
More Resources
To learn more about Movember, please visit https://us.movember.com/.
