Welcome to Movember!

Movember is back at BU! Once again this year we’re encouraging you to embrace a new look up top while also paying attention to what’s down below. So put down that razor! Movember at Brandon University is a month-long promotion to raise awareness for men’s health and safer sex. Our themes this year are testicular cancer and self-checks, safer sex through condom use, and men’s mental wellness.

Movember is an annual global campaign to support men’s health initiatives through November that is best known for the challenge to grow a moustache (or ‘mo’) all month long. All are welcome to participate, whether or not you grow a moustache.

At Brandon University, we are encouraging everyone to grow moustaches if they are able, to support friends, classmates or colleagues who are growing moustaches, and to take part in our end-of-month Movember Photo Booth, showing off your moustache (real or use one of our props!). Please tag us on social media @BrandonUni or #IamBU to show of your ’mo and you could win one of several great prizes.

Throughout the month, we will be sharing men’s-related research being done right here at BU through Research Connection. We will also be sharing information about men’s health challenges. Watch for posters around campus, slides on the BUNow screens, and information on social media and by email.

• Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canadian men aged 15–29. Testicular cancer one of the most curable cancers if it is caught early enough, usually through self-examination. However, otherwise healthy young men may be less likely to seek regular medical checkups. Embarrassment and stigma also prevent many from talking about their testicles, or knowing how and how often to check them. Learn more about testicular cancer at the Testicular Cancer Canada website, which includes a self-examination guide, It’s Time To Touch Yourself.
• Condoms are one of the most effective forms of contraception, and they also help prevent transmission of many STIs. However, a recent study of BU students show that many on campus are not using condoms regularly. Learn more about condoms from the Government of Canada and watch for our fun vintage condom posters around campus. We will be giving away condoms at our photo booth later this month.
• Men’s mental health is a growing concern. Across Canada, men report lower levels of stress and depression and yet they have much higher rates of suicide than women. In general, men are less likely to talk about, and seek support for, their mental health needs than women and this is particularly the case in rural Canada. We remind you that Brandon University has supports available for all. Students can access counselling services on the first floor of the Mackenzie Building. Faculty and staff can access services through Homewood Health.

Learn more about Movember at Movember.com

Movember at BU is brought to you by the BU Wellness Committee, as well as BU Communications, the BU Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health and the Canada Research Chairs in Men and Masculinities and in Rural and Remote Mental Health.

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