Times are hard but sport has power – Movember director Tracy Herd
Movember is perhaps the charity most of us think of when it comes to men’s physical and mental health. Since their official foundation in 2003 they have raised well over £500 million for men’s causes and made moustaches acceptable again.
Ahead of their most important month, Tracy Herd, Director of Global Program Implementation, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention at Movember spoke to the Sports Gazette. We discussed the impact sport has had on their cause and what we can all do in these unusual times to contribute.
“Movember has a long and successful relationship with both grassroots and professional sport,” Herd says.
“We have hundreds of professional and community sports teams that use this time of year to fundraise for men’s health and have fun as a team at the same time.”
The reach is undeniably impressive. And the key word here is “fun”. That’s what sport is, at least in part, for most of us.
It’s also at the centre of what many Mo Bros do to raise money every year.
While moustaches in the Middle East are popular again there remains some debate about their place in European fashion.
It is this debate that provides such a healthy catalyst for much of Movember’s fundraising. Whether or not moustaches are acceptable once more helps provide a constant dialogue around them. If people are talking about moustaches this time of year, they are probably also talking about Movember.
While all the discussion is undeniably fun, conveniently for Movember, it doubles up as free advertising.
Many figures in the media are getting involved and helping to spread the message too.
Daniel Ricciardo has brought his mo to the F1 circuit; one year it actually helped him to start on poll.
Ian Wright is involved in 2022 and you may have heard about Peter Crouch’s (unsuccessful) attempts at growing a mo on his podcast.
Herd belives that this kind of high-profile support is key.
“We know that sports stars who talk about their mental health can be very influential in getting young people to do the same,” she says.
“Sport has the power to raise awareness and improve understanding of the importance of looking after your physical and mental health.”
Movember is a foundation that aims to spread its message across less-well-trodden paths as well.
Movember are particularly proud of their status as Mental Fitness Partner for the Rugby League World Cup 2021. A role Herd describes as an honour.
Thanks to this partnership, a staggering 8,000 young athletes, their families and coaches will benefit from Movember’s flagship Ahead Of The Game program. It has been a chance to reach those who otherwise would not have had access to such support.
“It has been a key opportunity for us to get into towns and cities which are home to some of the most socially deprived communities – with the highest suicide rates in England – and make a positive impact on people’s lives in the communities that need it most.”
Sport is about communication on many levels. This is why, Herd says, it can be an agent in helping those in need tackle issues which may seem hard to tackle in other areas of life.
This particularly applies to younger men who may be less experienced when it comes to communicating about these things in a safe way.
“Using the language of sport, it teaches them how to recognise signs and symptoms of poor mental health in themselves and others and, most importantly, how and where to seek help.”
Unfortunately, economic uncertainty has made it harder to know how fundraising will go this year. A drop on previous campaigns is on the cards.
However, Herd insists that this shouldn’t deter us all from chipping in. It’s not all about donating.
“We understand that many people are suffering as the result of the cost-of-living crisis but whatever you grow will save a bro and whatever you raise will make a difference to men’s health.”
Ultimately the Movember message is about something that can be applied every day, every month of the year.
If you are someone feeling the pinch a little more than usual or you can’t grow a mo because you’re interviewing for jobs at the moment, Herd insists you can still play a vital role.
“Helping out a mate doesn’t have to cost anything – asking how they are, checking in, looking out for signs that something might not be right,” she says.
“You don’t have to be an expert and you don’t have to be the sole solution, but you can be there for someone.
“Listening and giving your time can be lifesaving.”
The good news is that making Movember about others isn’t just good for them.
“Staying connected to your mates is good for you as well. Your friends are important and spending time with them, whether you’re playing sport together or cheering on your team from the side-lines, staying connected is good for your mental wellbeing.”
This Movember, no matter how small, any action you take can help save a bro.
If you want to support the Sports Gazette this Movember click here. Or you can visit Movember’s website for details on how you can get involved.
