For the last few years, nearly every year, I’ve signed up for Movember, grown a moustache and attempted to raise money to assist research and treatment prostate cancer, and for depression amongst men. This year I’ve decided not to.
Don’t get me wrong, my views on the importance of these issues have not changed. If anything, they’ve become even more important. But I’ve noticed a kind of sponsorship fatigue setting in amongst my friends and colleagues, the people on whom I rely to provide sponsorship. And that’s fair enough. I’m always asking people to support one cause or another, and given that they’re all worthy causes, and we’re all supporting so many already, it’s hard to keep sponsoring everyone and everything. So this year I’m going to support the many other people I know who are raising money and growing awful moustaches.
Depression is a bitch. A real nasty mean bitch. I’ve seen it’s effects on a bunch of people I know, guys in particular, who have either not had it diagnosed and treated, or who even after diagnosis are struggling with it’s often debilitating effect. I myself have been dealing with depression for a very long time, and while I would say that I’m managing well as result of better choices and effective medication, there’s not a day that goes past that the grim spectre of depression needles me with horrible thoughts and a sense of hopelessness. Mostly I’m on top of it, but like any other chronic disease, it’s always there.
One of the outcomes of being more open about the fact that I am being treated for depression is that other people feel comfortable talking to me about it. If were to begin to tell you how many people have shared with me, the situations they find themselves in, the things their depression has stopped them from doing, the massive impact it’s having on their life and the lives of those around them, you would genuinely be shocked. You would be surprised to discover that they’re people you know well, whose illness you’ve never heard about, and whose struggles you’re blissfully unaware of. It’s terrifying.
But there is hope.
If you know anyone who is signed up for Movember this year, PLEASE sponsor them, even if it’s only for a few dollars. It all counts, and it all has the potential to save lives. Really, it does. Men’s health remains something that in spite of the best efforts of organisations like Beyond Blue and even the Movember cause doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Just imagine the effect lifting men out of the murky depths of depression can have. Not only will it allow them to live more positive, productive and effective lives, but it will also have a tremendous impact on the people around them. Think of the families whose husbands/fathers are depressed, and how they’re lives too could be changed by timely diagnosis and treatment. Just ask my wife about the change in her life since I was diagnosed if you want first hand testimony.
If you’ve signed up, feel free to post a comment on this blog and add a link to your Movember site to see if you can attract a few more sponsors.
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