Movember: Men’s Mental Health Awareness

A group of people pose for a picture. They are holding children's books.

(This week’s blog entry is brough to you by FRANC.)

Supporting fathers’ mental health empowers them to be engaged, nurturing caregivers, which is vital for children’s development. Both Movember and Champions work to break stigma—Movember in men’s health and Champions in parenting support—fostering open, resilient families. Together, these efforts build healthier communities by addressing challenges proactively and creating brighter futures for children.

While this time of year is a rush of meal-prepping, shopping, and resolutions, it is important to take time to check in on those around you as well as yourself.

November is National Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, which has grown across the globe into organizations such as Movember to urge men to feel comfortable asking for help and de-stigmatizing mental and physical health.

Movember began as a bet between two friends as a fun way to fundraise for prostate and testicular cancer research and has since blossomed into a way to continue the fundraising efforts as well as shine a spotlight on men’s mental health. On average, one man dies by suicide every minute globally, daily. Movember is designed to start those hard conversations, connect men to resources, and raise awareness through various methods of engagement, such as:

· Donating to prostate/testicular cancer research and mental health organizations

· Growing a moustache or beard and spreading the word

· Running or walking 60 miles throughout the month in remembrance of the 60 men lost to suicide each hour, globally

· Setting a goal for yourself for the month

The Movember Foundation has gathered a large list of resources available on their website, including resources for suicide prevention, domestic violence, sexual assault, youth support and social/employment services. These resources are for anyone, not only men, so please keep these in mind when engaging with the families we work with.

The FRANC team has been participating through shaving and growing their facial hair and raising awareness with the fathers and father-figures they work with, connecting them with resources based on their individual goals and needs.

If you know a father or father-figure that could use support through in-depth service navigation, please send them over to the FRANC program or complete an interest form with them and someone from the FRANC team will be in contact soon: cfctb.org/program/franc-fathers