Every November, people around the world take part in Movember, a men's health campaign that began in Australia in 2003 when a group of friends grew moustaches for a cause. Today the moustache is a conversation starter for men's health: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
At Rugare, we are using this Movember to focus on men's mental health, and to remind every man that it is okay not to be okay.
Why men's mental health matters
Many men grow up hearing that a real man stays strong, keeps quiet and handles his problems alone. That pressure makes it harder to say "I'm not okay", so many men carry stress, grief, money worries or loneliness in silence.
The cost is real. Malawi Police Service figures show that 482 people died by suicide in Malawi between January and September 2025, and 415 of them were men (Nyasa Times). Behind each number is a family, a friendship and a community.
Check in on the men in your life
Movember encourages a simple four-step guide called ALEC for starting a conversation with someone you are worried about:
- Ask how he is really doing, and mention anything you have noticed. If he says "I'm fine", it is okay to ask again.
- Listen without judging and without rushing to fix things.
- Encourage action, such as rest, exercise, time with people he trusts, or talking to a professional if he has felt low for more than two weeks.
- Check in again a few days later with a call or a message.
You do not need the perfect words. Showing that you care, and that you have time to listen, can make a real difference.
If you are a man who is struggling
Talking is a sign of strength, not weakness. Start with one person you trust, such as a friend, family member, faith leader or colleague, or reach out to Rugare for confidential counselling, online or in person.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, go to the nearest hospital or contact the police straight away.
Join us this Movember
Grow a moustache, start a conversation or share this message with the men in your life. Every honest conversation helps break the silence around men's mental health.