What is Movember and what does it mean?

Every November, the moustache takes centre-stage for a very real reason: the movement known as Movember — a global campaign designed to shine a spotlight on men’s health, including mental health, suicide prevention, prostate and testicular cancers.

The name itself blends “mo” (short for moustache) with “November”. The idea: get conversations started in places where it might usually feel awkward for men to talk openly about health and wellbeing.

But more than just a moustache campaign, Movember encourages men (and their friends, families and workplaces) to take action: to talk, to move, to host events, to check-in and to challenge the status quo around men’s health.

In the UK and beyond, the campaign is an important reminder: men’s physical health and mental wellbeing matter equally, and both are too often neglected.

 

The importance of men’s mental health

Men’s mental health is a pressing concern — not only for the individuals involved but for their families, friends and communities. Here are some sobering statistics and key points:

  • In the UK, men make up around three quarters of all suicides — that’s three out of four.
  • Each year in the UK, more than 4,300 men die by suicide.
  • Studies show that around 29.9 % of men in 2022-23 reported ‘high levels of anxiety’.
  • Nearly one in ten men live with depression or anxiety to some degree — and less than half of those receive treatment.
  • A survey by the Movember Foundation found that 47 % of men felt they were unable to confide in friends about their problems.
  • A large-scale UK report found that more than 133,000 men die prematurely each year — which is many men dying before age 75, often from conditions that are preventable and/or from delayed help-seeking.

What this means in practical terms:

  • Men often face barriers in speaking up about how they feel — whether because of stigma, social expectations to “be strong”, or simply not having the words or safe space.
  • Mental health issues among men are frequently hidden, untreated or mis-understood until they reach crisis.
  • For many men, mental health and physical health are intertwined: e.g., poor mental health may lead to higher risk of substance misuse, isolation or not seeking help for physical conditions.
    The implication for domiciliary care is clear: we must be aware of the signs, build trust and create a culture where checking in is normal, not exceptional.

Checking in with loved ones — the difference it can make

One of the simplest yet most powerful things we can do is check in. A short call, a message, a coffee, a shared walk — these small actions can make a big difference.
Here’s why:

  • When someone knows that someone else genuinely cares and is willing to listen, it reduces isolation. As the Movember research showed, many men say they don’t feel able to confide or don’t have close friends.
  • Opening the door to conversation means early recognition of distress. Rather than the problem building in silence, it gets brought into the light.
  • The act of caring sends a signal: “It’s okay to not be okay. I’m here.” That alone helps reduce stigma, and encourages men to reach out for help when needed.
  • For those receiving domiciliary care (or whose lives are supported by home-care services), a client’s mood, withdrawal, change in behaviour might be subtle — and checking in from the care team or the family can spot change early.

Some practical tips for checking in:

  • Ask open questions: “How have you been feeling these past few weeks?” rather than “Are you okay?”
  • Listen without judgement — don’t rush to fix, just be present.
  • Respect privacy but follow-through: if someone indicates they’re struggling, offer to help find support.
  • Keep it regular — it doesn’t have to be deep every time; even a quick “just thinking of you” message can matter.
  • For care staff: incorporate “how are you doing?” as part of your routine check-in, not as an add-on. It strengthens trust and means you’re better placed to notice changes.

 

TrustBridge’s support for men’s mental health

At TrustBridge, we believe that men’s mental health must be treated with the same seriousness as physical health. Here’s how we put that into practice:

  • Empowering our care teams: We provide training to our domiciliary care staff on recognising signs of mental distress, supporting open conversation and gently facilitating check-ins with clients and their families.
  • Proactive engagement: We encourage our staff not just to complete tasks, but to engage holistically — ask about mood, ask about connection, ask about how someone is coping. Sometimes the difference between a visit being just a care call and also a wellbeing check can be profound.
  • Partnerships and language: We align with campaigns like Movember to leverage the momentum of awareness — using the moustache motif, the conversation prompts, the idea of “man time” (time to talk) — and integrate this into our everyday communications.
  • Encouraging connections: We support our clients in staying socially connected — whether that’s facilitating a companion visit, supporting access to local groups, or simply encouraging a phone call with a friend or family member.
  • Resources and signposting: When our staff or clients identify potential mental health concerns, we make sure there are clear pathways of support — e.g., helplines, local services, professional referrals.
  • Cultural change: We aim to make the narrative around men’s mental health inclusive, empathetic and practical. It’s not about big gestures only; it’s about everyday care, conversation and connection.

In short: we’re not just raising awareness for the month of November — we’re aiming for a sustained shift in how we, as a domiciliary care provider, engage with men’s mental health all year round.

 

Closing Thoughts

This Movember, as the moustaches grow and the conversation begins, let’s remember: the real change comes after the moustache. It comes in the quiet moments, the small connections, the check-ins that happen when someone may feel too burdened, too alone to ask for help.

For men, for families, for clients and carers, the message is simple: you matter. Your mental health matters. Saying “how are you?” might feel small — but it could be life-changing.

At TrustBridge, we’re committed to walking that path with you: encouraging connection, supporting conversation, building trust and making sure that every man we support knows that help is there — and so are we.

This November (and every month), let’s lean in, speak up, reach out. Because together, we can help change the face of men’s mental health for the better.