Men’s health, let’s mullet-over
Celebrating Movember
Sonder is proud to support Andy Mcardle, Mental Health Clinician, as he participates in Movember and raises awareness for men’s health issues.
Challenging the status quo
Andy Mcardle grew up in rural Australia where the closest hospital was hours away. For thousands of Australian men, this can be a harmful environment where both health illiteracy is dangerously high and health topics are excessively taboo.
“Boys and men didn’t show emotion or acknowledge mental health or when they might be struggling,” Andy explains.
Having lost friends and family to suicide and cancer, Andy believes unhealthy gender stereotypes only inhibit people from looking after themselves.
As a father to a boy and a girl, and working as a Mental Health Clinician within Sonder’s youth mental health services, Andy is taking part in Movember to lead by example and encourage help seeking behaviours that challenge gender stereotypes.
“Boys and men should and do cry, and it is a sign of strength to show emotion and seek help. Toxic masculinity is something that should be left in the past.”
Men die an average 6 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons
Movember highlights a few of the most prevalent health issues that reduce the quality of life for men: mental ill-health, suicide and prostate and testicular cancer.
The campaign provides men with an opportunity to have a conversation with friends and family about men’s health and why it matters, while raising funds for the Movember movement.
Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, transforming the way health services reach and support men.
More than a moustache
Throughout the month-long campaign, Andy is not only growing a moustache, he is also sporting a mullet hairstyle and challenging himself to cycle 1,000km.
“I find cycling (whether it’s road, gravel or mountain biking, or a fixie) to be fantastic for my mental health. There’s nothing like giving it your all on a climb or descent to clear your head and de-stress.”
How can I donate?
Head to Andy’s fundraising page and help him reach his goal to support Movember.
You can find out more about the Movember campaign here.
Health services at Sonder
At Sonder, we offer mental health counselling, Aboriginal health services, support with alcohol and/or other drug use concerns, as well as a range of healthy lifestyle programs.
You can browse our range of health programs on our website. If you would like to talk to us about our services, give us a call on (08) 8209 0700.