Just to say, I’m not okay*

With Movember (November 1st - November 30th) coming to an end and with a successful "MO-HO-HO" mini-fundraiser completed (I'll be sporting my Mo for another 31 days through December), it felt time to revisit a blog from last year and talk frankly about men’s health, specifically why most of us men just don’t ask for help… It is okay, to not be okay.

I also have to acknowledge that I am very lucky to work for a company ( PacSol ) who have no issue with me looking slightly dodgy in front of clients for a month (as the 'Slo-Mo' takes its time to appear) or an issue with me hijacking the odd article to highlight something other than what we do (Document Management / Business Process Automation / Digital Transformation services if you missed it previously)

I’m okay (I promise) despite the click bait title, however, I am also not ‘afraid’ these days to speak up and say that has not always been the case. In reality this last few months has been a real test mentally, however, I talk about it openly and honestly and I have friends who check in with me regularly - I am not alone.

I have participated in Movember for the last 12 years (despite a genetic inability to grow a half decent Mo!) having not only experienced the loss of a wonderful man to late diagnosis cancer but dealt with personal mental health issues in more recent times. Thankfully my mental health issues have led to nothing more than a few days off work and a couple of years of personal counselling but for some the outcome of not seeking help is far worse.

Whilst Movember is focused on improving men’s health (mental health, suicide prevention, prostate and testicular cancer), the central message of looking after yourself, recognising when you need help, asking for that help and (possibly most importantly) recognising when others may need help / support, applies to us all.

On this beautiful planet, we are currently living through strange and stressful times. The ability to freely talk with family, friends or health professionals about any negative impacts this environment has on our lives is of paramount importance. Whether worries about our physical health, eco-anxiety, the impact of conflict (directly or indirectly), issues around employment, finances and / or relationships - many of us carry strong emotions from day to day but sometimes they can become overwhelming, especially when we try to sit on those emotions, bury them to 'not be an inconvenience' to everyone else. It is this moment, the tipping point of not coping that we need to recognise in ourselves or others and act.

For me it is not just about raising money (although all charities are short of funding these past few years!) but rather improving the awareness of men’s health issues, hopefully starting some new conversations and perhaps improving, even saving lives – if I have to look a little ‘odd’ for 30 days (61 in 2024) to improve the chances of that happening then so be it! (My youngest son is unimpressed with the Mo so really looks forward to Movember )

Last year (2023) I decided to give the world a break from the ‘Slo-Mo’ and instead challenged myself to run 60km over Movember - that is 60km to represent the 60 men suicide takes globally, every hour.

This year, as things had been a little quiet from me, I made the "MO-HO-HO" offer, to keep the moustache for another 31 days through the season of goodwill if my fundraising target was reached before the end of Movember .

Yes its all a bit of fun, however, if it causes just one person to pause, think and reach out when they had not previously, that is a success in my book - one positive outcome is better than none. (But I hope there are far more)

Whether you participate in Movember or not, please remember to look out for each other, never be afraid to speak up when you are down and be there for those that need help.

Be Excellent to each other.

• You can read more about Movember ’s central message here
• You can find details of various health support resources here

*No really, I’m all good.

#PacSolUK #Movember #MensHealth #MentalHealth #Charity