Movember, the leading men’s health charity, has announced it will extend funding for five of the Making Connections program sites, an initiative that aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of men of color and veterans in the United States.
“When we first developed this program, we knew there were many challenges these communities faced especially as it relates to mental health,” Mark Hedstrom, US Executive Director of Movember. “Those challenges have only grown and become more complex. We’re dedicated to tackling these issues from an early intervention and prevention perspective.”
“There’s a dire need to address this public health crisis, and Making Connections allows us to foster conversations and positive changes with men and boys where they are, in their community.”
Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health on a global scale, focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
The charity raises funds to deliver innovative, breakthrough research and support programs that enable men to live happier, healthier and longer lives.
Committed to disrupting the status quo, millions have joined the movement, helping fund over 1,250 projects around the world.
Originally developed and coordinated by Prevention Institute, the Movember-funded Making Connections work leverages the power of social connections to develop and implement actionable, community-level prevention plans to improve mental health across the country.
Making Connections takes a community approach to building coalitions that focus on the role that social, economic, and environmental factors play in shaping mental health and wellbeing for men and boys.
This is designed to reduce the incidence and severity of mental health challenges by taking on issues like community safety, stable and affordable housing, access to educational and economic opportunities, and social connection—all of which are foundational to mental health and wellbeing.
As mental health challenges continue to increase nation-wide, Movember is committed to finding ways to help improve the lives of men and their families.
The following program sites will receive an extension in funding to continue their programmatic work: Sinai Health System (Chicago, IL), United Women of East Africa (San Diego, CA), Kokua Kalihi Valley (Honolulu, HI), Southern Plains Tribal Health Board (Oklahoma City, OK), and Farmington Valley Health District (Canton, CT).
In addition to tackling key health issues faced by men, Movember is working to encourage men to stay healthy in all areas of their life, with a focus on men staying socially connected and becoming more open to discussing their health and significant moments in their lives.
The charity’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. To donate or learn more, please visit Movember.com.
