Grow it, don’t mow it

I am going to grow a mo for Movember. Actually I might grow several.
Why, I hear you ask. Well, Movember is a fundraising event where men proudly wear their support of male health issues on their face by growing, flowing and showing their moustache. This year The Movember Foundation will raise funds for two very important charities.
The first is depression help organisation Beyond Blue. Beyond Blue is especially pertinent as so many of our brothers and sisters are struggling with not only their sexuality but also all the attitudes of others towards it.
I have lost friends to depression. The highest suicide rate in the world is among GLBTI youth, especially those in remote areas where the community support groups and networks may not be so visible. This is where Beyond Blue comes in with counselling and support for depression and lots of other mental illnesses.
Depression was for a long time one of those issues often swept under the rug. Mental health was always, unfortunately, stigmatised. It’s frightening to think that so many people are struggling on a daily basis because they don’t want people to think they’re unbalanced.
The other beneficiary of this fun month of fur is the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. It is the most prevalent cancer in men and around one in eight will be diagnosed by the age of 75.
While you may think, “75! I’m nowhere near that age, why should I get checked?”, stop and consider it for a moment. Prostate cancer can occur in men as young as 45. With early detection and treatment there is an 88 percent chance of survival. That’s a good enough reason to get checked.
So for this month coming, I am going to grow a nice healthy handlebar mo. You know, the Magnum P.I. one – or perhaps you are better acquainted with the Village People leather guy style. Then again, one of those sexy, curly Salvador Dali types might be attractive too. I’d best duck down to House of Priscilla and grab me some hair.
Come on, what could be more supportive of our community than doing the following things: grow a great big bear moustache (and remember the Harbour City Bears are launching their Bear Essentials 12 program this week); make a point of checking on one of your mates who’s been having a rough time just to see if they are okay; and go and get your prostate check. You never know, you may enjoy the experience. But more importantly, you’ll be doing something good for your health.
To become a part of this fundraiser, register at www.movember.com. Don’t forget to shave your face on 31 October to get started.