Content Warning: This article contains discussions of suicide and mental health challenges.
In Los Angeles, Keith Sexton is growing his mustache again. It's an annual ritual he's performed for twelve years now, watching what began as a quirky Australian fundraiser evolve into a global movement transforming men's health. As Movember's Associate Director of Active Engagement, he's witnessed the organization mature from a month of facial hair to a year-round force in health advocacy.
"There are too many men dying too young, mostly from preventable causes," Sexton says. Founded in 2003, Movember began with a simple proposition: convince men to grow mustaches for charity. Inspired by the women's health movement, the organization's founders recognized a critical gap in men's health advocacy. Two decades later, Movember has become a comprehensive initiative targeting prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and perhaps most urgently, mental health and suicide prevention.
The statistics that drive their work are sobering: every hour, sixty men worldwide die by suicide. It's a number that Movember has woven into the fabric of their programming. Participants in their "Move for Mental Health" challenge walk sixty miles each November, one mile for each life lost. But the deeper challenge lies in changing how men think about health itself.
"We grew up in a world where we said, 'Hey, you're a man, this is how men behave,'" Sexton explains. "'You get hurt, you dust it off, and you keep playing. You rub some dirt in it,' as they say." This mindset has long prevented men from seeking help or discussing health concerns openly.
The organization's approach to dismantling these barriers is both systematic and creative. In Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, where a fifty-year gang rivalry divides east from west, Movember partners with Beyond the Ball, using basketball as an entry point for deeper change. "Our organization is located centrally between those rival areas," says Robert Castaneda, the program's Executive Director. Beyond the Ball provides more than just sports — it creates a safe space for young men to process trauma and develop emotional intelligence under skilled mentorship.
This commitment to sports-based intervention recently deepened through a partnership with Laureus USA, announced at a Chicago town hall meeting in October 2023. Through a $750,000 investment in Laureus' Sport for Good Chicago coalition, Movember is helping fund youth development programs in historically ignored and underfunded communities. The partnership will support more than 100 organizations using sports to foster mental health and personal development among young people aged 12-18, addressing critical barriers to access that have long hindered positive health outcomes in these communities.
Three thousand miles away, in Hawaii's Kalihi Valley, where poverty and loss of cultural identity have put men and boys at risk of depression and other mental health challenges, a different approach is taking root. The Kalihi Valley Instructional Bike Exchange (KVIBE) combines mechanical training with cultural identity and leadership development. In their "Culture Circles," young men explore their heritage while learning bicycle maintenance, creating a unique space for both personal and professional growth.
These community programs represent just one facet of Movember's work. Over two decades, the organization has contributed to significant advances in men's health, particularly in prostate cancer research and treatment. Their work has led to breakthroughs in testing methods and promising results for those diagnosed with aggressive or metastatic forms of the disease. The organization emphasizes the importance of early detection, especially for men of Black or Caribbean descent, who should begin screening earlier than the general population.
Recognizing that changing health outcomes requires changing conversations, Movember developed an online tool called Movember Conversations. Created by mental health experts, it guides users through common scenarios, providing practical strategies for meaningful dialogue. "Maintaining relationships, communicating and connecting are more important now than ever," Sexton notes. The tool reflects a growing understanding that supporting men's health requires equipping their entire community with better communication skills.
Recently, Movember announced their most ambitious initiative yet: the Movember Institute, a global project aimed at accelerating research and translating findings into practical solutions across Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. The Institute will collect and openly share valuable data, influence policy development, and focus on interventions that can be translated and scaled to change behaviors, systems, and norms.
But while these institutional changes take shape, Movember emphasizes the importance of individual action. For men, this means regular health maintenance: annual physical examinations, knowing your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, PSA levels), performing monthly testicular self-checks, and maintaining regular exercise routines. Mental health practices are equally crucial: building social connections, scheduling regular check-ins with friends, and learning to recognize signs of depression and anxiety.
For those looking to support men's health, the options extend far beyond growing facial hair. The organization offers year-round opportunities for involvement, from marathon participation to adventure series events like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Some supporters have taken unique approaches — Sexton mentions one participant who broke the record for most naked skydiving jumps in 24 hours (60 times in a row!).
There are encouraging signs of change, particularly among younger generations. "We've seen some really positive things coming out from Gen Z," Sexton observes. "They're a lot more open. They want to talk about stuff, and they're willing to talk about it." This generational shift suggests that traditional barriers to men's health discussions may be breaking down.
"When men are healthier, their communities are healthier," Sexton reflects. It's a simple statement that captures Movember's broader vision: transforming men's health requires changing not just individual behaviors, but cultural narratives around masculinity and health itself.
The transformation happens everywhere from research laboratories to neighborhood basketball courts, from bike shops to doctor's offices. It happens in careful conversations between friends and in the growing of gorgeous mustaches — creating spaces where men can be both strong and vulnerable, both masculine and human. As November progresses and mustaches continue to sprout worldwide, each one represents not just a conversation starter, but a small step toward reimagining what it means to be a healthy man in today's world.
Taking Action: A Guide to Men's Health
For Men
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Stay Current with Check-ups
Schedule annual physical examinations to catch potential health issues early and maintain a baseline for your overall health. -
Monthly Self-Screening
Perform regular monthly testicular self-checks to familiarize yourself with normal conditions and detect any concerning changes promptly. -
Core Health Habits
Maintain consistent exercise routines and quality sleep patterns - these fundamental habits form the foundation of both physical and mental well-being. -
Active Social Life
Cultivate meaningful relationships and regular social interactions, as strong social bonds are linked to better health outcomes and longer life expectancy. -
Mental Health Awareness
Learn to identify common symptoms of depression and anxiety in yourself, such as changes in sleep, appetite, mood, or loss of interest in activities. -
Professional Support
Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Reach out to healthcare providers when facing physical or mental health concerns.
For Supporters
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Communication Tools
Learn to use Movember Conversations, a guided tool that helps you have meaningful discussions about mental health and provides conversation frameworks for supporting others. -
Promote Prevention
Encourage the men in your life to schedule regular health check-ups, reminding them that preventive care is crucial for long-term wellbeing. -
Open-Minded Support
Listen without judgment when others share their health concerns or experiences, creating a safe space for honest conversations about physical and mental health. -
Share Your Journey
Opening up about your own health experiences and challenges can help others feel less alone and more comfortable discussing their own situations. -
Break the Silence
Help normalize health discussions by speaking openly about wellness, making it clear that talking about physical and mental health is natural and important.
Get Involved
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Support the Cause
Donate to Movember to fund groundbreaking research, innovative programs, and vital support services that are changing and saving men's lives worldwide. -
Move with Purpose
Participate in the "Move for Mental Health" challenge by running, walking, or staying active while raising awareness and funds for men's mental health initiatives. -
Challenge Yourself
Join marathon events or adventure programs that combine personal achievement with fundraising, creating memorable experiences while supporting men's health causes. -
Workplace Advocacy
Start conversations about men's health in your professional environment, helping create a culture where health discussions are normalized and supported. -
Build Community
Create and maintain safe spaces where men can openly discuss health concerns, share experiences, and find support without fear of judgment or stigma.
