It’s that time of the year again – this month, you may have noticed men with questionable facial hair and permanent five o’clock shadows. It’s not some weird trend going around, it’s men supporting other fathers, brothers and friends who are facing a health crisis.  

Movember is a global annual event that involves the growing of legendary moustaches to raise awareness of men’s health issues including prostate and testicular cancer; mental health and suicide prevention; and physical inactivity. The stigma around men’s health and wellbeing has been an obstacle that many have had to face, especially for those who feel they need to portray a strong and masculine persona.  

Facts: 

  • Men are dying on average 5 years earlier than women 
  • A growing number of men, around 10.8M globally, are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis 
  • Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men 
  • Across the world, on man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 75% of all suicides   

Believe it or not, we live in a world where men’s health is often swept under the carpet and society pressures men to be emotionless providers for their families. According to a survey done by the Cleveland Clinic, 77 percent of men who are married or in a domestic partnership would rather go shopping with their wife or significant other than go to the doctors, and 20 percent admitted to not being honest with their physicians.    

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a source of stress, while having serious mental health implications, particularly on men. With lockdowns and closures being put in place, it is evident that there has been a global decline in mental health. According to another survey done by the Cleveland Clinic, 77 percent of the participants indicated that their stress levels had increased throughout the pandemic and 45 percent said their emotional and mental health declined during this period.      

What Movember Means at Netsweeper 

At Netsweeper, we are dedicated to protecting internet users from harmful content, while providing web filter, digital monitoring, and online activity reporting solutions to always ensure digital safety. Netsweeper’s onGuard platform, consists of technology that works both online and offline, scanning internet content, desktop content, and user-submitted data in real-time. By detecting keywords/phrases in multiple safeguarding settings, including suicide prevention, it will allow for safeguarding leaders to take proactive steps for early intervention to promote mental health wellness.  

For more information on how onGuard can meet safeguarding initiatives and protect individuals, download our brochure or book a demo with one of our solution experts today!  

Submitted by: Natasha Pande