“Breaking taboos and opening the lines of communication”
Why are there still taboos around men’s mental health? And why it is important that we stablish open channels of communication?
The long-standing cultural beliefs about what it means to “be a man” creates pressure, silence and stigma. Men are expected to be strong and emotionless. Many boys grow up hearing messages like: “Be taught”, “Boys don’t cry”, “Man up”. Little boys learn early on to hide their emotions, sadness, fear and vulnerability. Fear of being seen as weak if they express their emotions. Society mistakenly makes a link between expression and weakness, so it comes to no surprise that man often worry about admitting their struggles thinking that others may see them as unreliable, less masculine or even less capable of holding together. Traditionally, man should be the provider, the strong one who can fix problems. When a man experiences anxiety, depression or stress they also feel that are failing at that role, therefore, they hide their emotions to appear strong. Seeking help at times it is a very “last resort”, and older generations often pass down the idea that talking about emotions it is not necessary. Unfortunately, still today, men are affected by these beliefs.
Why this taboo is dangerous?
Men are less likely to seek mental health support and more likely to seek harmful coping mechanisms such as, substance use, aggression and/or overwork. Breaking the taboos requires making some shifts by normalizing emotional expression and encouraging open conversations wit family, friends and even at workplaces.
As November rolls around, moustaches start popping up everywhere!
Movember isn’t just a trend or a seasonal aesthetic choice. It’s a global movement focused on something far more important: men’s mental health, suicide prevention, promotes early detection of prostate cancer and breaking the silence that has held men back for generations.
For many men, opening about mental health still feels uncomfortable, foreign, or even “weak.” Society has long taught men to be strong, stoic, and self-reliant – but those messages come with invisible weight. As a result, countless men carry stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, or burnout silently, often believing they have no right to struggle or no space to talk about it.
Movember is here to challenge that idea. A little history…
The “Movember” movement started back in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia when two friends Travis Garone and Luke Slattery joked about bringing the moustache back into fashion. They decided to grow moustaches with the idea to raise awareness for men’s mental health. Today, Movember is a global movement that operates in more then 20 countries and has funded many men’s health projects worldwide.
Staying Silent
The struggles man experiences don’t disappear just because they aren’t spoken aloud.
They accumulate. They isolate. And in too many cases, they become dangerous.
Movember shines a light on this reality, encouraging man to speak and seek help! And to remind them that help exists, support is real, and vulnerability is strength.
Why it Matters?
The data is alarming in many countries: the number of suicide deaths in man is disproportionate. Not because their pain is greater or lesser, but because they often feel unable to talk about it.
Communicating, opening to someone it is not easy, but acknowledging that men need emotional support isn’t weakness – it’s humanity.
Talking saves lives. Checking in saves lives. Being vulnerable saves lives.
What You Can Do
Don’t be afraid, start conversations even small ones with your partner, your son, your boss, your co-worker or your friend. It does not matter who they are, if you notice unusual behaviour “be the one to start the conversation”. A simple, how are you, really? Let them feel you are interested in listening by normalizing allowing them to share their struggles. You can also encourage them to seek professional help.
If you are a man, maybe you want to make a statement. It may feel silly, but growing a moustache can become a conversation starter – a visual reminder that mental health matters and “you” are a supporter.
Movember isn’t only about fundraising or facial hair trend.
It’s about rewriting the expectations placed on men. It’s about reminding every man that:
You don’t have to be unbreakable. You don’t have to carry everything alone. You don’t have to stay silent. Being strong can also mean reaching out, opening-up and letting people in.
Take Action
- Choose connection over silence.
- Check in on the men in your life.
- Invite honest conversation.
- Share your own story if you can.
And if you’re a man reading this:
- You are allowed to feel.
- You are allowed to need support.
- You are allowed to speak up.
- Your mental health matters -this month and every month!
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