For the 16th year running, Nigel is growing a moustache in support of Movember.
Each year, Nigel delays taking a razor to his upper lip for a whole month to raise funds and awareness of the biggest issues surrounding men’s health, such as: mental health, suicide, prostate and testicular cancer.
Did you know:
- Men will die on average 4 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, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 69% of all suicides.
Movember is uniquely placed to address this crisis on a global scale. They fund ground breaking projects all over the world, engaging men where they are to understand what works best and accelerate change.
So Nigel, why Movember?
It started off when I was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 with the Chinook Force. A colleague ‘volunteered’ us and it went from there. We also worked with a Vietnam Veteran who had not shaved his moustache off for 20 years but joined in. It very quickly became a talking point and was good for morale and banter.
16 years of supporting Movember – that’s some commitment! What is your motivation?
November is an important month in every Serving personnel and Veteran’s calendar as it is Remembrance Day. As well as all those personnel who were lost and injured both physically and mentally during conflict, it is important to remember the daily struggles of those who suffer with PTSD, CPTSD and Mental Health challenges. I have faced my own Mental Health challenges for which I was able to get help and support. I would like to think that by supporting Movember annually, the moustache I grow becomes a talking point which leads onto other discussions around Mental Health and Wellbeing.
You must have raised a considerable amount of money over the years?
Not really. Coming into the Christmas period I am conscious that money may be tight in households so I generally don’t circulate too widely. However, if all participants globally raised just a small amount, it does make a huge difference!
How has talking about Men’s mental health changed over the last 2 decades?
Yes it has. Men were starting to be more vocal about their Mental Health since I have been participating in Movember. Post COVID 19 lockdown where a great deal more people were affected by isolation and restriction of movement and socialisation, men are generally more candid about the way they feel and the stigma and barriers around Mental Health. There is still some way to go, but it is moving in the right direction.
How has the support for Men’s health in the Armed Forces changed?
Physical fitness has always been a key part of the Armed Forces in preparation for wherever they are required to deploy globally. Regular fitness tests and access to gyms are a key part of this. Post Iraq and Afghanistan, greater focus has been placed on Mental Health and Wellbeing with access to apps like Headspace providing a level of support. Due to campaigns like Movember and the encouragement to discuss topics like Mental Health, Men are more likely to recognise signs in themselves and others and seek help earlier than previously.
The Mo really suits you – will you keep it perhaps?
I normally have a beard and ensure I am clean shaved on 01 November. My partner Jo doesn’t particularly like the moustache so I will be going back to a beard on 01 December.
I would like to thank all my colleagues at SQEPLtd and wider for their continued support to me and Movember.
Nigel, the rest of the SQEP team salutes you – thank you for creating awareness of such a remarkable cause. For more on Nigel’s fundraising activities click here
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