What is Men’s Month, and why is it celebrated?

If I tell you we’ve just started Men’s Month, what comes to mind? Maybe you’ve heard about it before, or maybe this is the first time you’re reading about it. Either way, it’s more relevant to you than you might think—and you have a lot to gain from it. Yes, that’s right. All you need to celebrate this month is to be a man. So, if you care about your well-being, if you want to take care of yourself (inside and out), and if you see health as more than just the physical, stick around to the end of this article. Because this month is about raising awareness around all the aspects that affect men’s lives—and we’re half the population!

Men’s Month exists for many reasons, but if we had to highlight one, it would be the need to raise awareness about men’s health. Even though it sounds simple enough (and it is), men around the world still deal with the consequences of not having open and honest conversations about health issues that impact them.

That’s why International Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19th, a day first established in the U.S. back in 1992. This day is dedicated to showcasing the positive role men play in society, while addressing issues around health, equality, and personal growth. Because let’s be real—men also need attention when it comes to areas as essential as mental health.

Thanks to this day, campaigns of all kinds have emerged, with the popular Movember movement standing out. Movember—a combination of “moustache” and “November”—invites men to grow a moustache throughout the month as a sign of support and to bring attention to health issues that impact men in particular, like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. Born in Australia in 2003, Movember has become one of the most well-known initiatives. And while the moustache has become an iconic symbol, Men’s Month goes even further, covering all aspects of men’s well-being.

During this month, men are encouraged to take care of their health and feel supported and heard on topics that are often taboo, like mental health, serious illness prevention, and sexual health. This month, men are invited to learn about prostate and testicular cancer, take care of their emotional health and adopt habits that will allow them to have a full and healthy life.
 

You may wonder if it is really necessary to dedicate one month a year to something that is so essential. The reason behind this is that men often find it difficult to talk about their emotions and ask for help in times of crisis (whether due to family, personal, health, work problems...); this is why this movement, aimed at the male population, has since its inception set out to break the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage a much fuller life.

Celebrating Men’s Month means recognizing the importance of men’s health and taking responsibility for caring for yourself and others. Yes, taking care of yourself and caring about your well-being doesn't make you any less of a man. By joining this movement, you are supporting a cause that fights for the improvement of men's quality of life. From the early detection of diseases, to the development of a full awareness of what it means and implies to have a full physical and mental well-being.

Because the 30 days of this month are an opportunity (or thirty opportunities, depending on how you want to see it) for men to reflect on their lives and adopt habits that contribute to their full health. Any New Year's resolution you set to improve your life that you have left on the back burner? It's time to rescue it and carry it out. Because for many, participating in this movement is also a reminder of the importance of preventive health and an invitation to adopt a lifestyle that improves quality of life and reduces the risk of serious diseases.

This isn't just about joining the gym or going to the nutritionist. It’s about creating a safe space for men to discuss their concerns. It's time we stop singling out men who aren't afraid to express themselves openly and foster an environment of support and understanding. 

And if you think this is something no one cares about, every year, thousands of people come together to raise funds, organize events and disseminate information to enable men to take care of their well-being. This support network is critical to reducing the male mortality rate. Don't forget that men die 6 years earlier than women on average, and with regard to suicides, men (almost) triple women. 

But when we talk about wellness, sexual health is often put on the back burner, especially among men. However, taking care of your sexual health is not only important for your body, but also for your mind and your quality of life. Sexual health is about much more than preventing disease; it's also about understanding your body, feeling confident and being able to talk about your needs and concerns without taboos, either with your partner or with healthcare professionals.

But what do we mean by taking care of your sexual health? Having regular check-ups, being well-informed and understanding how your sex life can affect other aspects of your well-being. For example, prostate cancer and testicular cancer are two of the health problems that most affect men, and their early detection is very important to have better prognosis. In addition, sexual problems are often indicators of other health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension or stress and anxiety.

Problems such as premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction (on the rise among young people) are often closely linked to problems of self-esteem, well-being in the relationship or satisfaction in intimacy. That is why proactively seeking solutions to these problems is a huge gesture of self-love that can change your life.

As I mentioned, there are many ways to celebrate and experience this movement firsthand, the key is to support men's wellness. One effective way is through physical activity or participating in sporting events. If sport is already part of your life (or not your forte), you can also simply tell your friends, share this movement with them and ultimately reach more people.

Another way to join the cause is by fundraising. Many people have foundations or associations that research advances in diseases that especially affect men, such as those derived from heart or liver problems. Not everyone can contribute financially, but if this is your case, you can always do your bit in this way!

Men's Month is not limited to a single way of participating; on the contrary, it seeks that each person makes the movement their own and promotes the importance of men's well-being in the way that most resonates with their lifestyle. The important thing is that, during this month, we talk and act in favor of men's health, and that we can all contribute to the construction of a full and happy life for men in our society. Are you up for it?